HCMC – Authorities in HCMC are ramping up efforts to connect supply and demand, and improve access to financing for food and foodstuff companies, as businesses grapple with a challenging market environment, officials said on Wednesday.
The push was highlighted at the opening on April 15 of HCMC FOODEX 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), which features nearly 500 booths from more than 350 domestic and international firms.
The food sector is one of the city’s four key industries, contributing about 14% to 15% of industrial output, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha said at the event.
The city also serves as the country’s largest processing hub, accounting for around one-third of output in the southern key economic region.
In the first quarter of 2026, the city’s economy grew by 8.27%, the highest level for the same period in five years. The food sector alone recorded a 12% increase in its industrial production index, ranking second among industrial sectors.
Nguyen Loc Ha said the results reaffirm the sector’s importance, while also underscoring the need for further support to help businesses adapt to changing market conditions.
According to him, the city is rolling out a range of measures to support businesses, focusing on improving the business environment, accelerating technology adoption, and strengthening trade promotion, supply-demand linkages, and access to capital.
These efforts aim to help firms sustain production, secure orders, and expand into new markets.
As part of the event, a business matching program has attracted around 250 buyers, including 50 international buyers from markets such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China and India. More than 2,000 meetings are expected to be arranged over four days, based on the specific needs of participants.
The event will run through April 18, providing an additional platform for food industry businesses to connect with partners, expand their markets, and strengthen their participation in supply chains.
