The rising popularity of the prefabricated food industry has attracted investors into the field in recent years. Shandong, an agricultural powerhouse, is ramping up efforts to gain market share in this sector.

During the ongoing third Qingdao Multinationals Summit, a special exhibition area has been set up to display ready-made dishes produced by over 30 Shandong-based food enterprises, attracting the attention of many diners in search of appetizing food during the event.

Shandong, which boasts a booming food industry and catering industry, has superior advantages to develop the prefabricated food industry due to its developed logistics system and sound industrial foundation, according local officials.

At present, there are more than 9,000 enterprises engaged in the ready-to-eat food industry in Shandong. Among them, seven are listed on the A-share market, ranking Shandong first in the country.

"We hope that displaying prefabricated dishes from Shandong at the Qingdao Multinationals Summit, an international exchange platform, can help increase the profile of local prefabricated food enterprises and facilitate industry development," said Zhang Qiang, deputy director of the Service and Trade Department of Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce.

The exhibition area for displaying ready-made dishes from Shandong attracts many visitors during the third Qingdao Multinationals Summit. [Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

A dazzling array of ready-to-eat dishes are on display during the summit. [Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Shandong time-honored food brands, such as Chaoyixing, Yefengsu and Luweizhai, are also tapping into the ready-to-eat food market. [Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

The prefabricated food exhibition area attracts many visitors during the third Qingdao Multinationals Summit. [Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

A chef displays a vegetable carving during the third Qingdao Multinationals Summit. [Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

An exhibitor displays huabobo, or traditional steamed buns, during the third Qingdao Multinationals Summit. [Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Visitors sample ready-to-eat food. [Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]