Shanghai: South African companies that have been assisted to participate in the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) have expressed optimism for what is to come out of the gathering. The 7th CIIE kicked off in Shanghai, China, on Tuesday. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has partially funded 35 South African companies to participate in the expo taking place from 5 – 10 November 2024.

According to South African Government News Agency, Robert Mafuna from Khozeni Farming Operations said his company hopes the opportunity to exhibit at the CIIE will benefit their business from China’s current appetite for avocados through gaining export opportunities. The company, which is based in Mpumalanga, has recently partnered with Westfalia Fruits to provide the first export of SA avocados for a test run to the Chinese market. This development came at the back of a phytosanitary agreement between the two countries and China’s growing demand for fresh produce.

Mafuna mentioned that they we
re initially invited by the dtic as part of a business delegation to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting, which took place recently. From that platform, they garnered interest from China on export opportunities and from investors, as China seeks to strengthen relations with the African continent, to partner with them on their business ventures. He added that the company is currently exporting its avocados and macadamias to the European market, but he is keen on expanding into the Asian market.

He sees China as a critical enabler to entering the region, emphasizing the importance of the CIIE in providing exposure and links to businesses that can assist in realizing their objectives. Mafuna believes that China’s heightened interest in health and wellness products provides ample opportunities for South African businesses in the agriculture and agro-processing sectors, which must be fully explored.

Wendy Mpendulo of Miante Manufacturing, an agro-processing company specializing in a variety of
nut products, expressed similar sentiments. She sources and adds value to a number of ground and tree nuts, assisting in adding variety and interesting flavor to the produce. Mpendulo stated her ultimate goal is to bring the full African experience to the Chinese and is looking forward to getting investors, partners, and even distributors from China.