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Hong Kong’s relevant food regulation contains a positive list of chemicals which are allowed for use as coloring matter. However, this positive list does not explicitly list calcium carbonate as an allowable coloring additive for food use. In this regard, the U.S. food manufacturers, in consultation with Post, wrote to the Hong Kong government to seek clarification on whether calcium carbonate is allowed for use as a food coloring additive.

Hong Kong is an open market offering good opportunities for U.S. beer exporters. Over the last two years, both beer imports and domestic sales have been stable despite the pandemic. In 2021, Hong Kong’s global beer imports held steady from the previous year at $115 million, making the city the fourteenth largest beer import market in the world. Domestic beer sales recovered 9 percent from 2020 at $732 million.

Over the last five years, Hong Kong’s global imports of hops expanded 42 percent, growing 10 percent to $7.2 million in 2021. The United States continues as the leading supplier enjoying 96 percent market share. Hong Kong re-exported 72 percent of its hop imports to other markets in the region, retaining 28 percent for local breweries.

In 2021, U.S. seafood exports to Hong Kong recovered 31 percent year-on-year to $180 million, and taking over a significant share in niche market segments such as lobsters, eels, oysters, and other frozen mollusks products. Hong Kong has a vast seafood market with an import value of $4 billion in 2021, recovering 20 percent despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective February 1, 2023, Hong Kong will ban cannabidiol (CBD) products. The newly amended regulation will prohibit the manufacture, import, export, supply, sale, possession and transshipment of any products containing CBD in the city, regardless of quantity.

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This report serves as a reminder to U.S. exporters and traders that the Hong Kong government does not allow entry of U.S. poultry and egg products originating from affected counties reporting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) when the bill of lading falls on or after the effective date of a ban.

From September 6-8, 2022, the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Hong Kong hosted the strongest national pavilion at Restaurant and Bar, one of the largest food trade shows in Hong Kong. Seven U.S. exhibitors showcased their quality products to over 8,000 trade visitors.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, travel and dining restrictions decimated tourism to the city and negatively impacted the hospitality sector. Hong Kong’s restaurant receipts dropped from $14.4 billion in 2019 to $11.9 billion in 2021.

Following the success of our virtual seminar at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in March 2022, ATO Hong Kong partnered again with the University to co-host an educational cooking demonstration and lecture on July 18, 2022. The class highlighted versatile, sustainable, and delicious USA foods through the culinary presentations of two dynamic chefs.

Hong Kong does not have any certification changes for food imports since the last report submitted in June 2021. This report lists the certificates required by the Hong Kong Government (HKG) for U.S. agricultural and food exports to Hong Kong.

Despite a small population of 7.4 million people, Hong Kong is the seventh-largest export market for U.S. consumer-ready agricultural products. Hong Kong has always been an attractive market for innovative U.S. food and beverage products as well as a gateway to the region.