HNCEXPO Shenzhen 2026 recorded 29,753 health-and-nutrition-sector visits, while organisers reported a 60.2% increase in overseas attendance. The exhibition network will return to Shanghai in June and Shenzhen in October 2027.
The Healthplex Expo, Natural & Nutraceutical Products Shenzhen 2026 took place from 13 to 15 October at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center.
Jointly organised by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products and Sinoexpo Informa Markets, the exhibition covered nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, functional foods, traditional Chinese health products, healthy ageing, contract manufacturing and private-label production.
HNCEXPO was held alongside Hi & Fi Shenzhen 2026 and other exhibitions under the wider Connexion Shenzhen event portfolio.
HNCEXPO Shenzhen 2026 results at a glance
- Dates: 13–15 October 2026
- Venue: Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center
- Health and nutrition visits: 29,753
- Reported overseas-attendance growth: 60.2%
- Wider Connexion Shenzhen visits: 138,342
- Combined exhibitors: More than 2,000
- Combined exhibition area: 180,000 square metres
- Concurrent industry activities: More than 30
- Next Shanghai edition: 22–24 June 2027
- Next Shenzhen edition: 13–15 October 2027
The HNCEXPO Shenzhen 2026 event page provides further information about the exhibition’s product categories and target buyers.
Attendance figures require careful interpretation
The organiser reported 138,342 trade visits across the fourth Connexion Shenzhen, which combined exhibitions covering health, food ingredients, processing and packaging, hospitality, catering, furniture and lifestyle products.
This was not the attendance figure for HNCEXPO alone.
Within the broader portfolio, the health and nutrition sector recorded 29,753 visits. Visitors may also have entered more than one co-located exhibition, so these figures should not automatically be interpreted as unique individuals.
The organiser stated that overall Connexion Shenzhen attendance increased by 25.25% year on year. However, the same organiser previously reported 115,045 visits for Connexion Shenzhen 2025. Comparing the two published totals produces growth of approximately 20.25%.
The difference could reflect a revised comparison base or changed measurement methodology, but no explanation was provided. The safest conclusion is that attendance increased substantially, without relying on the disputed percentage.
Overseas attendance increases by 60.2%
Overseas attendance in the health and nutrition sector reportedly increased by 60.2% from the previous edition.
The organiser did not publish the absolute number of international visitors or a breakdown by country. The percentage therefore indicates strong growth but does not reveal overseas buyers’ share of total attendance.
A dedicated Thailand buyer-matching programme was held during the exhibition, while broader sessions connected suppliers with importers, distributors, retailers, e-commerce platforms and content-led sales channels.
For international companies, the result suggests that the Shenzhen edition is becoming more relevant as an entry point to the Greater Bay Area health and wellness market. Prospective exhibitors should still request detailed buyer information before committing, including:
- Overseas buyer numbers by market
- Buyer job functions
- Purchasing authority
- Distribution channels represented
- Product categories requested
- Number of scheduled meetings
- Follow-up and order-conversion data
Products span supplements, functional foods and healthy ageing
HNCEXPO Shenzhen presented finished products and supporting services across several health and wellness categories:
- Nutraceuticals and dietary supplements
- Functional foods and drinks
- Traditional Chinese tonic products
- Food-medicine homology products
- Beauty and ingestible-beauty products
- Healthy ageing and senior-care products
- Smart health and age-tech products
- Sports and metabolic nutrition
- Health-management products
- OEM, ODM and private-label manufacturing
- Testing and supply-chain services
The co-location with Hi & Fi Shenzhen connected finished-product brands with suppliers of ingredients, extracts, additives and formulation solutions.
This structure is particularly relevant to companies seeking more than finished products. A buyer could potentially identify ingredients, formulation partners, contract manufacturers, packaging providers and distribution channels during the same Shenzhen visit.
OEM and private-label services create sourcing opportunities
Contract manufacturing and private-label production were prominent parts of the exhibition.
These services can help overseas brands develop supplements and functional foods without building their own production facilities. However, buyers need to examine more than a supplier’s catalogue of available formulations.
Important questions include:
- Which production processes are completed in-house?
- Which products and formats can the factory manufacture?
- What are the minimum order quantities?
- Who owns the product formulation?
- Can the supplier modify ingredients for the destination market?
- Which quality-management and food-safety systems are in place?
- Can the supplier provide batch-level testing documentation?
- How are allergens and cross-contamination controlled?
- What stability and shelf-life testing has been completed?
- Does the supplier have experience with the buyer’s target market?
- Who is responsible for regulatory submissions and product claims?
- What packaging, labelling and fulfilment services are available?
The legal classification of a supplement, functional food or traditional health product can differ between markets. A product legally sold in China may require reformulation, new labelling or separate authorisation elsewhere.
Traditional ingredients meet modern product development
The Tonic Food Zone focused on products using traditional ingredients associated with both food and medicine.
Concurrent discussions examined the commercial development of food-medicine homology products, including how traditional ingredients can be used in modern foods, drinks and supplements.
This category can create opportunities for overseas distributors seeking distinctive Chinese health products. It also carries significant compliance challenges.
International buyers should verify:
- Whether each ingredient is permitted in the destination country
- Maximum allowed dosage
- Novel-food or traditional-food status
- Restrictions applying to health claims
- Contaminant and pesticide testing
- Traceability and geographical origin
- Scientific evidence supporting claimed functions
- Whether the product is classified as food, a supplement or medicine
Traditional use alone may not be sufficient evidence for making health-related marketing claims in another jurisdiction.
Silver Economy and Tech Zone makes its debut
The new Silver Economy and Tech Zone focused on products and services for older consumers.
Participating companies covered consumer healthcare, smart technologies, age-friendly products, travel and extended-stay services.
The zone reflects growing interest in technologies that help older adults manage health, mobility and daily living. Potential product areas include:
- Home health-monitoring devices
- Wearable health technology
- Mobility and rehabilitation equipment
- Age-friendly nutrition
- Smart personal-care products
- Remote health-management services
- Senior travel and wellness services
Buyers evaluating connected health products should confirm whether their functions make them regulated medical devices. Data storage, software updates, cybersecurity, warranties and local after-sales support are also important sourcing considerations.
Livestreaming connects exhibitions with online retail
HNCEXPO partnered with Douyin E-Commerce Global and Tencent Marketing to create an e-commerce livestreaming zone ahead of China’s Singles’ Day shopping period.
The programme allowed participating brands to combine physical product demonstrations with online promotion and sales.
For foreign brands entering China, livestreaming can offer product exposure and rapid consumer feedback. It does not guarantee sustainable distribution, however.
Before working with an e-commerce platform, livestreaming agency or content creator, brands should assess:
- Audience profile and authenticity
- Platform and agency fees
- Sales commission
- Product-return rates
- Discount expectations
- Inventory requirements
- Content and advertising compliance
- Ownership of customer data
- Responsibility for fulfilment
- Long-term brand positioning
A campaign that produces short-term sales through deep discounts may not build a viable premium health brand.
Matchmaking targets major Chinese sales channels
Dedicated business-matching sessions connected exhibitors with representatives from:
- Tmall Global
- Xiaohongshu
- JD.com
- Taobao Live
- Multi-channel network agencies
- Content creators and livestreaming operators
- Retail and distribution channels
These meetings gave exhibitors direct access to potential e-commerce and marketing partners.
The exhibition also introduced two guided Health Discovery Tour routes: Food-Medicine Homology and Functional Nutrition and Metabolic Anti-Ageing. The routes were intended to help visitors identify relevant suppliers within a large co-located exhibition.
For international participants, curated matchmaking can be more valuable than general foot traffic if meetings are based on verified product requirements and channel fit.
More than 30 events examine regulation and innovation
HNCEXPO hosted more than 30 forums, seminars, product launches and matchmaking activities.
Topics included:
- Cross-border regulations and compliance
- Synthetic biology
- Microbiome health
- Ingestible beauty
- Anti-ageing technologies
- Brand trust and health marketing
- E-commerce growth
- Digital transformation
- AI-enabled senior healthcare
- Overseas expansion
- Ingredient applications
- New-product development
The broad programme reflects the convergence of food, nutrition, beauty, healthcare and digital commerce.
Buyers should distinguish between commercial trends and scientifically established product benefits. Claims made during product launches or marketing sessions should be verified through appropriate regulatory documentation and independent evidence.
HNCEXPO Shanghai returns in June 2027
The next major HNCEXPO edition will take place from 22 to 24 June 2027 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.
The official HNCEXPO 2027 website states that the Shanghai exhibition will be co-located with:
- Hi & Fi Asia-China
- ProPak China
- FoodPack China
- Starch Expo
Together, the exhibitions are expected to create a 200,000-square-metre food and health industry platform.
The Shanghai edition is likely to offer the broader national and international sourcing environment. The Shenzhen edition is more directly positioned around South China and Greater Bay Area distribution, innovation and cross-border e-commerce.
HNCEXPO Shenzhen confirms October 2027 dates
Healthplex Expo, Natural & Nutraceutical Products Shenzhen 2027 is scheduled for 13 to 15 October 2027 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center.
The official Shenzhen exhibition overview says the event will again be held alongside Hi & Fi Shenzhen to connect health-product brands with ingredient and supply-chain companies.
Companies deciding between the two editions should consider:
- Target region within China
- Finished products versus ingredient sourcing
- Preferred distributor and retail channels
- Greater Bay Area versus nationwide market access
- Timing of product launches
- Factory-visit opportunities
- Other exhibitions planned during the same trip
International buyers can compare other relevant events through the China trade-show calendar.
HNCEXPO Shenzhen’s 2026 results show increasing international interest in China’s health, nutrition and functional-food sectors. Its strongest value for overseas participants lies in the combination of finished products, ingredients, contract manufacturing and access to China’s rapidly evolving e-commerce channels.
