The potential for co-operation between eastern and western markets was brought into focus at the fourth annual China Agricultural Trade Fair (CATF) this year, with the introduction of a British pavilion.
The pavilion represented 17 UK companies in total, including growers, and the storage and retail industries, and was organised by Hartington China, which is engaged in trade between China and the UK as well as the development of a chill-chain operation in China.
The fair, which took place in Beijing from October 16-20, attracted more than
250,000 visitors from 31 countries and generated an estimated contract value of US$2.5 billion (£1.27bn).
Hartington China president Richard Bruce said the exhibitors and visitors from British food and drink companies also profited from the additional visits scheduled as part of the programme.
Bruce said: “This enabled the British visitors to see at first hand agricultural production, food processing and food retailing which put into context all that they are trying to achieve in this massive potential market for British food and drink products.”
They also benefited from the opportunity to meet senior government officials who visited the fair, he added.
Another feature of the trade fair was the presentation of awards to Chinese growers entering the World Grower of The Year competition.
“It was particularly gratifying that Zhang Xi Qing from Beijing Qing Puyuan Vegetable Company Ltd went on to win the World Grower category at Amsterdam just a couple of weeks later,” said Bruce.
