Some companies exhibiting at the China International Import Expo are optimistic that the forum will allow them to explore exporting opportunities to the Asian market.
With the recent presidential trip and new trade relations signed in China, South African producers are poised to benefit extensively and introduce new products to the Chinese on top of already exported products like citrus, table grapes, wine, dairy, poultry and red meat.
Robert Mafuna from Khozeni Farming Operations in Mpumalanga said they hope the exhibition will benefit their business following China’s current appetite for avocados.
Exploring new opportunities
Mafuna’s company has recently partnered with Westfalia Fruits to provide the first export of SA avocados for a test run to the Chinese market.
“We were initially invited by the department of trade, industry and competition (DTIC) as part of a business delegation to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) meeting which took place recently.
“From that platform, we garnered interest from China on export opportunities and from investors, as China seeks to strengthen relations with the African continent to partner with us on our business ventures,” he said.
According to Mafuna, the company is currently exporting its avocados and macadamias to the European market but he is keen on expanding into the Asian market.
Mafuna believes China’s heightened interest in health and wellness products provides ample opportunities for South African businesses in the agriculture and agro-processing sectors which must be fully explored.
“We see China as a critical enabler to us entering the region. The expo is therefore important in affording us exposure and links to the businesses that can assist us to realise our objectives,” he said.
The DTIC said it has partially funded 35 South African companies to participate in the expo from 5 to 10 November 2024.
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Penetrating global markets
Meanwhile, Wendy Mpendulo of Miante Manufacturing, an agro-processing company specialising in various nut products, said she is there to bring the full African experience to the Chinese.
“I source and add value to a number of ground and tree nuts, assisting in adding variety and interesting flavour to the produce. I came here because my ultimate goal is getting investors, partners and even distributors from China,” she said.
South Africa’s consulate general to Shanghai, Phuti Tsipa, said South Africa needs to continue to invest in efforts to ensure that more value-added products are exported to global markets.
“We hope that by the end of the exhibition, we will be reaping fruitful outcomes following the match-making engagements and overall participation in the seventh expo.
“We would like to see more and more South African businesses penetrating critical global markets, thus growing their businesses and assisting the efforts to grow the economy and create jobs,” she said.
Tsipa said South Africa is committed to deepening and expanding practical cooperation with China in areas like trade and investment, infrastructure development, new energy, and tourism among other key focus areas.
The DTIC said South Africa, as a leading agricultural producer in Africa, has increasingly looked to China as a major export market, while China views South Africa as an important partner for sourcing agricultural products.
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