Turkish Food Exporters Prepare to Export to China

Turkish food exporters invested in the post-pandemic period by participating in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2020, held for the third time this year in the People's Republic of China, one of their largest target markets. In 2019, Turkish food exporters achieved export growth of 63%, reaching USD 226 million in exports. Turkish food exporters aim to exceed USD 1 billion in food product exports to China within the next 5-year period. Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator Chairman of the Aegean Exporters Associations, stated that the China International Import Expo would be held in Shanghai between 5-10 November 2020, and that a total of 15 Turkish companies participated in the fair, comprising 8 national participations and 7 individual participations. He noted that the Turkey National Participation Organization was undertaken by the Aegean Exporters Associations.

China, a major power importing USD 2.1 trillion

Recalling that they declared 2019 as 'China Year', Eskinazi stated: "China is one of the two countries with which Turkey has the largest foreign trade deficit. Since China is not a distant country for purchasing goods, it is not a distant country for exports either. We are making efforts to bring the foreign trade between the two countries into balance. While China exported USD 2.4 trillion in 2019, it also imported USD 2.1 trillion. The China International Import Expo plays a very important role in shaping China's imports from the world. We invested in the coming years to export more to China."

Celep: "Professionals and direct buyers participated"

Birol Celep, Deputy Coordinator Chairman of the Aegean Exporters Associations, noted that following the Covid-19 virus that spread from China's Wuhan city to the world, food exports to China experienced an 11% contraction during the January-October 2020 period. He stated that they aimed to be stronger in the Chinese market after the pandemic and that they participated in the China International Import Expo, which the Chinese government attaches great importance to. Celep said: "Despite all the adverse conditions created by pandemic circumstances, we encountered visitor numbers exceeding expectations. Although there was a lower number of visitors compared to previous years, professionals and direct buyers participated."

We connected to the fair online from Turkey

Celep, noting that active participation was provided by all our commercial representations based in mainland China at the fair and important meetings were held, completed his remarks as follows: "Additionally, we provided the opportunity to conduct video conferences with our visitors through the WeChat program and connected to the fair online from Turkey. We are targeting USD 1 billion in food product exports to China within 5 years."

Turkish flavors presented to suit Chinese palate

At the Turkey stand, where Turkish products and menus suitable for the Chinese palate were presented through Cofco Company, one of China's largest state-owned companies operating in the food sector, dried fruits and nuts, Turkish delight, Turkish coffee, ice cream, milk and dairy products, baklava, dried figs, dried grapes, dried apricots, organic healthy snacks, olives and olive oil and other food products were promoted, and Turkish products received great appreciation.

Chinese consumers preferred Turkish hazelnuts most

Turkey exported USD 157 million worth of food products to China during the January-October 2020 period, with Chinese consumers preferring Turkish hazelnuts most. Turkish hazelnut exports to China totaled USD 41 million 20 thousand, while USD 12.7 million worth of potatoes were exported. Sea cucumber exports reached USD 10.5 million as the third most-exported product.

Dairy products exports exceeded USD 5 million

The Turkish dairy products sector, which obtained export visa to China as of May 2020, began establishing its position in the Chinese market. The dairy products sector achieved USD 5 million 7 thousand worth of exports to China during the 10-month period of 2020. Pistachio, sunflower oil, cherries, safflower oil, chickpeas, lentils, dried figs, dried apricots, seedless dried grapes, biscuits and olive oil were among other food products standing out in exports to China. At the China International Import Expo, 2,800 companies participated in 15 different booths across 6 different sectors, with 16 companies and institutions from Turkey represented. Through the Aegean Exporters Associations' Turkey National Participation Organization, the following companies participated: Aydın Dried Fruits Ind. Trade Inc., CLK Silk Road Logistics Inc., Dimes Food Ind. and Trade Inc., Istanbul Exporters Associations General Secretariat, K.F.C. Food Textile Industry Import Export Investment Inc., Kırlıoğlu Agricultural Products Food Construction Ind. Trade Inc., Yaşar Ice Cream and Food Products Inc., and Trade Türk Food Investment Inc.