SHANGHAI, Nov. 11 (INP): Pakistani agribusinesses further explore Chinese market at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) held here from November 5 to 10.
The Expo emerged as a prestigious platform showcasing the rich diversity and quality of global products, drawing visitors and potential buyers from 152 countries.
Among the numerous agricultural and food exhibitors, Staple Foods Pvt Ltd and Jazaa Global from Pakistan stood out with their impressive range of rice varieties, sesame seeds and other culinary delights.
This year’s CIIE features an expanded food and agricultural products exhibition area, spanning 89,000 square meters, compared to the previous edition.
The exhibition area is divided into six key sections: dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and agricultural produce; meat, aquatic products, and frozen foods; beverages and wines; snack foods, sweets, and condiments; comprehensive food products; and a special zone for the crop seed industry.
It brings together the world’s top four grain traders, four major vegetable seed companies and more than 1,500 companies from more than 100 countries and regions to showcase their organic, healthy local specialties and a variety of processed agricultural and food products infused with modern technology.
At the Staple Foods stall, six varieties of Pakistani rice including 1121 Steamed Rice, PK-386 White Rice, IRRI-9 White Rice, Long Grain 5X White Rice, Long Grain 100%
Broken Rice and two types of sesame seeds are displayed in bulk with specialized packs for customers’ convenience.
As one of the 14 Pakistani companies that were first approved by Chinese quarantine authorities to export rice to China in 2016, Staple Foods has witnessed a general upward trend in its exports to China.
With its vast population and huge demand, China represents an immense market for Pakistan’s agricultural and food industries.
Data from the Pakistan National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the country’s total exports for the fiscal year 2023-2024 amounted to USD 30.64 billion, marking a 10.54% year-on-year growth.
Notably, agricultural exports performed exceptionally well, hitting a record high of USD 8 billion, representing a 37% year-on-year increase, Gwadar Pro reported.
This is Staple Foods’ second appearance at the CIIE, following its debut in 2018. “We are eager to continue participating in this event and hope to develop our business further.
Currently, we mainly work with B2B companies, but we aspire to expand into consumer packaging and increase our presence in supermarkets, diversifying our customer base in China,” Imran from Staple Foods Pvt Ltd explained.
Among the rice varieties popular with Chinese consumers are 1121 Steamed, 5% Silky, Super Kernel, and Broken.
While Basmati rice still needs to be introduced to the broader Chinese market, it is already widely consumed by ethnic minorities in China.
“We believe in increasing the number of products on our export list to China. Currently, we are preparing to export dried chili peppers to China,” Imran revealed.
Making its debut at the CIIE, Jazaa Global exhibited a wide range of products, including rice, Himalayan pink salt, spices (both whole and powdered), baked products from the fried onion series, assorted cookies and puff pastries, various cooking sauces, and an assortment of desserts, candies, and snacks.
“Our products are covering more than 55 markets globally, with a prominent emphasis on the Chinese market, where they are already being embraced by supermarkets, catering industries, and wholesale markets,” said Shizra Jasani, Senior Export & Brand Manager at Jazaa Global, underscoring the strategic importance and vibrant potential of the Chinese market.
Jazaa Global entered the Chinese market in 2020 and has received positive feedback from potential buyers through the 7th CIIE.
“The response from the Chinese market has been overwhelming, with serious and potential buyers showing keen interest in our products,” Jasani said. “We are grateful for this platform and hope to continue participating in future editions.”
INP/javed
