ECDC set to promote S Africa agro products in China

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) on Monday pledged to support seven South Africa companies to showcase their agro products at the 30-month permanent international Ningbo Trade Fair in China.

The development funder said in a statement on its website that the move is set to promote South Africa-China business relations and to market South Africa products in China.

It said the project would generate opportunities for South African companies to access the large Chinese consumer market.

The companies will exhibit their products in the city of Ningbo in China's Zhejiang province.

ECDC Export Promotion Unit Coordinator Zodwa Kepeyi said between January and July 2012, 500 million U. S. dollars worth of imported agro processed products, including wine, milk, fruits and seafood, were transported through the Ningbo harbor.

Kepeyi said the United States Food Industry Association forecast Chinese imported and exported food sales to grow by 15 percent year-on-year and that, by 2018, China would become the world's largest consumer of imported and exported food, with the Chinese domestic market for imported food expected to reach up to 480 billion dollars.

"Ningbo, therefore, presents immense opportunities as it could serve as a channel for products to larger markets in China and the rest of the world," Kepeyi said. "Our long-term view is to attract investment from China and boost employment creation in the province by acquiring long-term contracts and new investment," she added.

The companies expected to participate in the exhibition are Oceanwise, Gaehlercorr Industries and Superfecta Berries, Momentos of Africa and Mendabat, Carara and Makana Meadery.

Both South Africa and China are members of BRICS which also include Brazil, Russia and India.