UNPA opens doors for China growth & expansion at Natural Health and Nutrition Expo

26-Mar-2021 - Last updated on 26-Mar-2021 at 15:07 GMT

With China largely back to normal commerce and activity, the upcoming Natural Health and Nutrition Expo is a “great opportunity” for US dietary supplement companies to grow or expand their China business, says UNPA.

The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) will be actively involved in the Natural Health and Nutrition Expo (Shanghai) on May 12-14, 2021 in cooperation with U.S. Commercial Service, the International Trade Administration, and Reed Sinopharm.

“This is a great opportunity,” UNPA President Loren Israelsen told NutraIngredients-USA. “Demand for US dietary supplements in China remains high.”

NHNE is attended by over 100,000 distributors and retailers, and the Chinese market for dietary supplements is expected to reach $40 billion by 2023.

“For companies looking to get a sense of the situation in China and the business opportunities during this pandemic, this is their best shot,” added Israelsen.

Contacts and leads

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, travel to China from most countries, including the US, is not possible. “But you have the Chinese economy that is pretty much back to normal and they’re out there conducting business,” noted Israelsen. UNPA is in a favorable position because its Beijing-based staff led by Daniel Mabey, President, Asia Region, will represent US exhibitors to qualified Chinese distributors seeking to add US brands to their portfolios.

Registrations opened earlier this week, said Israelsen. “For $3,500 you get a full report, contacts and leads, and the U.S. Commercial Service is there for support and can vet any potential customers.

“Despite the pandemic we’re really making a big push in China, and we want to show the Chinese market that the Americans are there to do business.”

The event is open to any interested dietary supplement finished product brand in the US. “Participation is open to UNPA and non-UNPA members,” said Israelsen, but the booth is limited to 20 companies.