THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is reiterating its call for industry stakeholders to beef up the country’s agricultural sector as popular products like fruits and other raw materials proved to be in demand in China, one of the world’s biggest economic powerhouses.
Following his successful trip to Shanghai, China for the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), CCCI president Antonio Chiu said agriculture was a winner during the expo. He identified mangoes, bananas and coconuts as the top commodities popular among the Chinese buyers.
According to Chiu, almost 200,000 representatives from buying companies visited the expo. He said the CIIE was China’s way of trying to balance the trade. He said the China government is opening up its country to buy goods from all over the world.
“Everybody was there,” said Chiu.
CCCI sent a delegation to represent Cebu. The chamber, however, was not able to set up a booth because of strict requirements but was there to learn and observe the trade of what was profitable in the Chinese market. The Cebu delegation also participated in various meetings with Chinese companies during the six-day expo.
Chiu said the delegates zeroed-in on fruits and raw materials that were popular and affirmed that there is an urgent need for the country to address the concerns of the agricultural sector, should it want to take part in the thriving business climate in China.
“The Philippines is not really competitive when it comes to our fruits, our raw materials. This is what we really need to address,” he said.
Chiu said the market in China contributes a huge chunk to the country’s import industry because it’s a constant player in various industries in the Philippines.
“You cannot ignore China as a market because it’s very huge and the nice thing is that they are opening and encouraging countries like the Philippines to sell to China. It’s their way of actually helping us also,” Chiu said.
CIIE sales
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported a total of US$124 million worth of sales generated by Philippine companies during the CIIE held on Nov. 5 to 10, 2018.
Total sales generated include US$108 million of signed orders for various agricultural products such as bananas, avocados, and oranges. It also includes US$16 million of direct sales from exhibitors.
“This is a big win for Filipino companies—especially those in the agriculture industry—as we push for greater promotion of our fresh fruits category in China’s huge market,” said Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez.
“The figures exceeded our target sales for this participation, which was US$50 million. But Philippine products, known to be of quality to foreign buyers, received overwhelming approval at CIIE,” the trade chief added.
DTI brought 57 exhibitors to the event where they occupied a 500 square meter space at the biggest import expo in China. The exhibitors featured top-notch Philippine products and services including snacks, alcoholic beverages, coconut, mango, nuts, chocolates, and coffee; cosmetics, baby care; electronic, automotive products; culinary tour packages; franchising and education services.
According to Lopez, the agency is eyeing 100 booths for next year and to double its sales compared to this year. with PR