SA Businesspeople Upbeat about Prospects of Enticing Chinese Importers

A group of South African businesspeople who have arrived in China to participate in the second China International Import Expo which starts tomorrow are upbeat about the opportunity to showcase their products and the prospects of attracting the attention of the Chinese importers. The participation of the businesspeople in the expo that ends on 10 November 2019, is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) with the objective of assisting them penetrate or expand their reach in the Chinese market.  The South African delegation is led by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Nomalungelo Gina.

The CIIE is an international platform provided by China for countries to showcase their products and services to hundreds of the country’s importers, buyers, distributors, agents, wholesalers and retailers.

The General Manager of Prosperitas Food, Mr Stefan Kruger says the expo provides his company with an opportunity to increase its share of the Chinese market as he is already exporting raisins from his Upington-based company to China, albeit on a small scale.

“We managed to successfully make a breakthrough into the Chinese market last year.  We are already exporting small quantities of our products to China. Our objective is to get more customers in order to increase the volume of our exports. We are positive we will meet importers who will be interested in sourcing from us,” says Kruger.

Mr Mark Adams, who is representing the Limpopo-based Twitter Quail company is determined to capture the interest of the Chinese importers with his company’s quail eggs

“We are here to market quail eggs but also to create an awareness amongst the Chinese about quail meat. China is a big market and finding an importer of our products here will be a major boost to our company,” says Adams.

The Sales Director of Peppadew International, Mr Kian MacRae says his company, which is based in Limpopo is already exporting 80% of its products to various countries except China.

“We want to break into the Chinese market and make our canned sweet peppers to be part of the Chinese cuisine.  We are hoping to find an importer or food service agent to distribute our products here,“ adds MacRae.

The CEO of the Aluminium Federation of South Africa, Mr Muzi Manzi says he will be searching for opportunities that the 85 members of the association can explore in China, and potential buyers they can interact with.

“We want to increase the number of companies that are exporting aluminium to China and the quantities of aluminium that is exported to this country from South Africa.  China is a big market. Seizing a small fraction of the market will be a major achievement for our members,” stresses Manzi.

The Marketing and Promotions Coordinator of the Fresh Produce Exporters Forum, Ms Marletta Kellerman is also looking for trade leads that she can share with members of her association to explore further.

The South African delegation that is participating in the second China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti

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