“China has abundant agricultural products, and I want to use the Agricultural Expo to introduce Chinese dates and tea to the African market,” said Emily, an exhibitor from Kenya, seeking business opportunities at the 26th China Central (Hunan) Agricultural Expo held in Changsha on November 15.
The China Central (Hunan) Agricultural Expo is the only comprehensive agricultural event approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China to bear the name “Central China.” This year’s expo brings together more than 3,500 enterprises from China and abroad, showcasing a variety of distinctive agricultural products from overseas, including Southeast Asian fruits, African coffee, French wine, Lao beer, Australian beef, and Malaysian bird’s nest.
At the Lao exhibition area, Chinese consumers lined up to purchase organic ancient tree tea, low-alcohol glutinous rice wine, and wild agarwood. “We also brought pure plant essential oils, coffee, and durian cakes from Laos. More and more high-quality Lao agricultural products are entering the Chinese market,” Ran Manjun, general manager of Laos’ Million Elephant Company, told a reporter from China News Service. The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a delegation to participate in the expo not only to create more opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural sector between the two countries but also to introduce Chinese medical equipment and new energy vehicles to Laos.
“Previously, Lao agricultural products entering China were mainly coffee and beer. Now, thanks to e-commerce channels, Lao sandalwood and other natural products are being transported via the China-Laos Railway on a ‘digital train’ to reach millions of Chinese households,” said Ran Manjun. She added that the steady progress in infrastructure connectivity between ASEAN countries and China has laid the foundation for smoother trade.
Zhao Deng, head of the organizing committee of the Central China (Hunan) Agricultural Expo, explained that to facilitate face-to-face cooperation discussions between Chinese and foreign companies, the committee began inviting international purchasing delegations three months in advance. The expo also added translation positions in six languages, including English, French, and Arabic, to support international cooperation.
“Our high-quality vegetables have expanded from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to the Middle East. This time, we want to connect with Southeast Asian merchants to expand Yongzhou vegetables’ export ‘circle of friends’,” said Liu Wen, head of Dongsheng Farm in Xintian County, Yongzhou City, Hunan Province. (End)
