Western food from Qingtian county in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

A western food supply chain selection fair was held in Lishui's Qingtian county, Zhejiang province, on Aug 6.

More than 20 leading domestic and international suppliers took part, creating a platform for product showcases, tastings, business networking and industry exchange. The event aimed to boost local western food and coffee industries by connecting suppliers with buyers.

The exhibition featured products from across the western food supply chain, including premium coffee beans, western meats, pastries, imported beverages, seasonings, and baking equipment. Many local restaurateurs, cafe owners, bakers, and residents attended, sampling products and meeting with suppliers on site.

Several foreign suppliers also participated, such as Almetti, an Italian coffee brand, which is set to begin production in Qingtian in September.

As a renowned overseas Chinese hometown, Qingtian is home to 381,000 overseas Chinese spread across 146 countries. Their global connections have helped western cuisine, coffee and wine culture take root and flourish in the county.

Currently, the county is home to over 150 western restaurants, more than 700 cafes, and over 200 wine shops. Annual consumption exceeds 2 million steaks, 150 metric tons of coffee beans, and 100,000 Spanish hams, with the industry's total output value surpassing 2.5 billion yuan ($370.61 million).

The fair also served as a key warm-up activity for the 8th Overseas Chinese Imported Commodities Fair. Moving forward, the county plans to build regular exchange platforms, connect global high-quality resources, and further upgrade the western food industry chain.