(The 9th China International Import Expo) Global flavors come to China’s dining table and the tip of the tongue welcomes open opportunities

In the agricultural and food products exhibition area of ​​the 9th China International Import Expo, the rich aroma of fried steak attracted visitors to stop and taste it. Eric Bienvenue, chairman of the Canadian Beef Association, shuttled between the booth and the negotiation area, busy promoting this flavor to more customers.

"We produce about 350 kinds of beef products and hope to bring wonderful flavor and taste experience to Chinese consumers." Eric Bienveni said that the CIIE provides an important platform for face-to-face communication between companies, consumers and partners. By listening to market needs and establishing cooperative connections, companies are expected to further explore business opportunities.

Global flavors on the tip of the tongue are finding more possibilities in the Chinese market.

From November 5th to 10th, the 9th China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai. In the past few days, many visitors have made a special trip to the booths of agricultural and food products from various countries to "try out new products".

On November 8, visitors waited to taste ham in the agricultural and food products exhibition area. On the same day, the 9th China International Import Expo held in Shanghai ushered in an open day for public audiences. Photo by China News Service reporter Yin Liqin

Norwegian salmon is a popular product. Yao Lin, director of the purchasing department of Shanghai Hecheng Food Co., Ltd., who has been engaged in the salmon import and processing business for a long time, observed that thanks to the open environment and policy support, some relatively high-end imported foods in the past are entering more households at affordable prices. "On the one hand, platforms such as the China International Import Expo promote in-depth exchanges of high-quality products from various countries, and on the other hand, they also allow ordinary consumers to access more diverse products and enrich their daily lives."

Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Board, said that China has now become the second largest export market for Norwegian salmon, and its importance to Norwegian seafood exports has become increasingly prominent. He hopes that the latest agreed arrangements for Norwegian wild aquatic products to be exported to China will help more high-quality Norwegian products enter China and provide consumers with more fresh choices.

Along the closely connected production and supply chain, global flavors come to the Chinese table. In Eric's view, market expansion not only relies on product quality, but also relies on trust and connection. The CIIE is providing a good opportunity to establish this connection and promote the common growth of enterprises and partners.

Spanish sheep cheese brand La Antigua attended the conference this year with four products. Brand CEO Sara Fregeneda said that in Europe, cheese can not only be eaten directly, but is also often used in pasta, soup cooking, or paired with meat and fish.

"Behind a product, there is its culture and historical tradition." Sara said that the CIIE has witnessed the exchange of food cultures from different countries, and it has also allowed her to get a close understanding of the taste preferences of Chinese consumers and think about how to adjust product specifications and flavors.

On November 7, the booth of the International Trade Promotion Department of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand was crowded with people. In the agricultural and food products exhibition area of ​​the 9th China International Import Expo held in Shanghai, fruits, vegetables and agricultural products, dairy products, beverages and alcoholic beverages, meat and aquatic products are gathered together. From fresh raw materials to specialty processed goods, authentic global flavors are gathered to attract visitors and experience the CIIE on the tip of their tongues. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhao Wenyu

To better integrate exotic flavors into China has become a direction that Chinese companies and overseas brands are exploring together.

Jia Meng, head of the new retail platform Hema Cloud, said for example that a biscuit that sells well in Europe once encountered "acclimatization" in the Chinese market because of its sweet taste. With the joint efforts of Chinese and foreign teams, after the product was "sugar-reduced", sales increased by 10 times month-on-month.

Relying on this experience, Hema reached cooperation with 12 overseas brands and IPs at this CIIE, with the total contract value exceeding RMB 220 million. Jia Meng said that the CIIE is not only a window for global goods to enter China, but also a platform for overseas brands to deeply connect with Chinese manufacturing and consumer demand.

"With the help of the 'spillover effect' of the CIIE, global high-quality resources are integrated and upgraded, and overseas craftsmanship and local innovation empower each other, allowing Chinese consumers to enjoy global delicacies without leaving home, achieving a win-win situation for all three parties," she said.

A dining table that connects the supply and demand of global flavors. As more and more specialty products enter ordinary people's homes from exhibition stands, the increasingly rich tongue-tip experience is providing new growth space for overseas brands. (over)