Spring Canton Fair 2025 concluded its second phase in Guangzhou, bringing together global buyers who were preparing for a new sourcing season. For Grizzlies, this exhibition was a valuable opportunity to meet customers face to face, review updated product needs and discuss how upcoming purchasing plans could move forward more smoothly.
Compared with general product browsing, many conversations at this year’s fair were more focused. Buyers came with target items, market requirements, sample feedback, document questions and expected order timelines. The discussion was no longer only about “what is available”, but about how to prepare better for the next purchasing cycle.
Connecting with Buyers for the Next Sourcing Season
The 137th Canton Fair onsite exhibition was held in three phases, with Phase 2 running from April 23 to April 27, 2025. Source: Introduction to the 137th Canton Fair
For many buyers, the spring session is an important time to review supplier options, update product ranges and prepare orders for the months ahead. At the Grizzlies booth, we met distributors, importers, restaurant supply companies, supermarket buyers and brand customers who were looking for more practical discussions before confirming their new season plans.
Buyers Came with More Prepared Questions
One clear feature of Spring Canton Fair 2025 was that many visitors arrived with more prepared questions. Some buyers wanted to compare product structures and material directions. Some focused on sample adjustments. Others needed to understand carton packing, document preparation, repeat order schedules or product range planning.
These conversations helped both sides work more efficiently. Instead of starting from a broad catalogue, buyers could bring specific needs to the booth, and the Grizzlies team could discuss suitable options based on application, market, order quantity and future supply plans.
Product Updates Were Discussed Around Real Use
At the fair, buyers reviewed product options for takeout, catering, prepared food, supermarkets, cafés and distribution channels. Their questions were practical: how the item feels in hand, how it stacks, how it handles sauces or oily food, whether the size fits local habits, and how it can be packed for efficient shipping.
This kind of face-to-face review is difficult to replace with product photos alone. By seeing samples directly, buyers can better judge structure, thickness, lid fit, appearance, packing method and possible changes before moving into sample confirmation.
Documents Became Part of Early Planning
For buyers selling into different markets, document preparation remained an important topic. Customers asked how material information, food contact expectations, paper sourcing, compostability references or safer barrier directions could be discussed before orders were finalized.
In 2025, this early planning became more relevant for European projects because the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2025/40, entered into force on February 11, 2025 and will generally apply from August 12, 2026. Source: European Commission Packaging Waste
For buyers, this does not mean every project needs the same solution. But it does mean that material choices, claim support and future document needs should be discussed earlier, especially when preparing new product ranges for the coming season.
Safer Barrier Direction Remained a Buyer Concern
Buyers working with oily food, sauces, fried items and hot meals continued to ask about grease performance and safer material directions. The U.S. FDA announced in 2024 that grease-proofing substances containing PFAS were no longer being sold by manufacturers for food contact use in the U.S. market. Source: FDA PFAS food contact update
By Spring Canton Fair 2025, this topic had become part of normal sourcing discussions. Buyers wanted to understand how products could support real food use while also moving toward clearer and safer material communication.
Custom Requests Needed Earlier Coordination
Some buyers came to the fair with custom ideas for the new season. Their questions covered logo printing, size selection, artwork timing, carton marks, product combinations and sample revisions.
A useful custom project should not start only from visual design. It should also consider food application, storage, shipping, target market, case quantity and repeat order planning. Discussing these details early helps reduce misunderstanding before sample approval or production.
Supply Planning Was Part of the Conversation
New season planning also means looking at lead time, order rhythm and replenishment needs. Buyers wanted to know how production schedules, carton packing and repeat orders could be arranged more predictably.
At the booth, Grizzlies discussed how product selection, sample review, document preparation and supply schedules could connect into one workable plan. This helped buyers think beyond the first order and prepare more clearly for future replenishment.
A Stronger Global Sourcing Platform
The 137th Canton Fair concluded successfully on May 5, 2025, welcoming 288,938 international buyers and recording intended export transactions of USD 25.44 billion. Source: Guangzhou International report on the 137th Canton Fair
For Grizzlies, the strong buyer attendance confirmed that global sourcing activity remained active, but buyer expectations were becoming more detailed. Customers were looking for suppliers who could provide clear communication, reliable samples, practical suggestions and stable follow-up after the exhibition.
Looking Ahead
Spring Canton Fair 2025 gave Grizzlies the opportunity to reconnect with existing customers and meet new buyers preparing for the next season. The discussions at the booth showed that sourcing decisions are becoming more project-based, with buyers paying closer attention to materials, documents, samples, customization and supply planning.
Grizzlies will continue to support global customers with product review, sample development, material discussion, custom options and stable factory supply for commercial takeout, catering, prepared food and distribution needs.
Contact Grizzlies to discuss your new season sourcing plan, sample requirements, material direction, document needs or custom development project.
