On the Ground at FHA 2026: Connecting with the Food & Hospitality Ecosystem

A Report by CYS Global Remit Digital Media Marketing Team

Last week, the CYS team spent time at Food & Hotel Asia 2026 (FHA 2026), one of Asia's largest and most established trade events for the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. 

We attended as visitors — moving from booth to booth rather than exhibiting — and the experience offered a valuable window into a sector that is both highly dynamic and deeply international.

A Truly Global Marketplace

FHA brings together a diverse mix of businesses, from food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers to distributors, hotel operators, and restaurant brands. What stood out immediately was the sheer international presence, with exhibitors and buyers from across Asia, Europe, and beyond actively engaging, showcasing products, and exploring partnerships.

At its core, FHA is more than a showcase of trends. It is a hub for cross-border trade. 

Many businesses present operate across multiple countries — sourcing ingredients from one market, processing in another, and distributing to several more. Behind every product on display is a network of international transactions keeping supply chains in motion.

Conversations Beyond the Booths 

Walking through the exhibition halls, conversations naturally extended beyond products and into business operations. Common themes emerged:

• Managing suppliers across different countries 

• Navigating fluctuating costs and margins 

• Handling payments across currencies and jurisdictions

For businesses in food and hospitality, timing is often critical. Orders are placed based on demand cycles, inventory needs, and seasonal considerations. Delays in payments can affect shipments, while cost fluctuations — particularly in foreign exchange — can squeeze already tight margins.

These are not new challenges, but they are becoming more pronounced as trade volumes grow and supply chains grow more interconnected.

Where Payments Fit Into the Picture

What became clear throughout the visit is that cross-border payments play a more significant role in this industry than they might initially appear. 

For importers, timely payments ensure goods are shipped without delay. For exporters, receiving funds promptly supports cash flow and operational continuity. In both cases, clarity on costs and settlement timelines can make a meaningful difference. 

While FHA focuses on products and partnerships, the underlying infrastructure — including how money moves — is what enables these relationships to function smoothly.

This is where specialised cross-border payment providers such as CYS Global Remit can support businesses in these ecosystems. By offering alternative payment routes, clearer FX execution, and more predictable settlement timelines, such solutions complement traditional banking channels and reduce friction in international transactions.

Connections, Conversations — and Cuisine

Beyond the business discussions, the visit had its lighter side.

As expected from an event of this scale, the variety of food on display was impressive — from artisanal products to international delicacies, there was no shortage of opportunities to sample what exhibitors had on offer.

In many ways, these informal moments — sharing a quick bite, exchanging thoughts over a tasting — helped foster genuine connections that go beyond formal introductions.

Looking Ahead

FHA 2026 reinforced the importance of staying close to the industries that rely heavily on cross-border trade. For the CYS team, it was an opportunity to better understand the evolving needs of businesses in the food and hospitality sector, while building new relationships along the way.

As global trade continues to expand, industries like this will remain at the forefront of international commerce. Supporting them goes beyond facilitating transactions — it involves understanding the pace, pressures, and priorities that shape how they operate. 

And sometimes, it starts with a simple conversation at a booth. Or over a very good meal.