Colombian coffee chasing China
Wu Jiahang, chief representative of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation in China, is elaborately preparing coffee beans for the first ever China International Import Expo next month.
Wu said he is selecting coffee beans from diverse production bases in Colombia, which are expected to draw Chinese coffee consumers’ attention at the expo.
“From high-end products to ordinary consumption goods, coffee is a witness to the opening-up and reform of China,” Wu said, noting the coffee market in this still largely tea-drinking country has seen great changes over the past decades.
The Chinese coffee market has been growing rapidly over the past few years due to the rise of the Chinese middle class and better living standards.
Foreign coffee brands such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee have been opening a growing number of shops across the country, while independent coffee outlets have been set up in every corner of commercial districts in China’s cities.
“We are absolutely facing a prosperous and rapidly growing coffee market in China, and the CIIE will definitely be the best opportunity for ensuring that more Chinese coffee drinkers know about our coffee,” he said.
But Colombian coffee providers have their worries. They are concerned about the transportation of coffee beans by sea and are not entirely familiar with Chinese consumers’ preferences. They are also worried about whether their prices are competitive in comparison with coffee beans from other countries, or whether their products can arouse the interests of Chinese dealers.
“I always tell the Colombians to be braver, and to not question the openness of the Chinese market,” said Wu, adding that the key to winning the market is to focus on the acceptance of Chinese consumers.
He believes that international events provide a unique chance for exchanges between Chinese people and foreigners, because overseas goods are exposed to the nation.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- RSS
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证:沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证:31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证:0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证:沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证:沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.