Business news

MINSK, 20 April (BelTA) – China is the most promising market for Belgospishcheprom food industry concern in terms of export diversification, BelTA learned from Chairman of Belgospishcheprom Concern Alexander Zabello on 20 April.

“In 2016 our export surged 22 times from $67,000 to $1.47 million. I think that the Chinese market is the most promising one in terms of export diversification. Today, China is lagging behind in terms of per capita consumption of many food products, but the country is rapidly developing; people’s income has been growing. The country is toughening the quality requirements. We are ready to work in this market,” Alexander Zabello remarked. He underlined that the Chinese market is challenging. Companies from all over the world are fighting to get a foothold in it. Today Belarus’ major exports to China are rapeseed oil, confectionery, beer, and strong alcoholic beverages.

Alexander Zabello also said that Belgospishcheprom Concern had signed a $50 million supply contract with a company from the Chinese province Wuxi. “Currently our Chinese partners are getting familiar with Belarusian companies. They have already visited Krinitsa brewery and Kommunarka confectionery, the alcoholic beverages holding company, and canning plants. We plan to meet with them on Saturday and come to an agreement on the delivery of the first batches,” Alexander Zabello noted.

According to him, in 2016 the companies of Belgospishcheprom Concern exported products to 60 countries (six more than in 2015). “I should note that we pretty much depend on the CIS markets, especially on Russia’s market. We are now busy trying to reduce this dependence,” Alexander Zabello clarified.

He also pointed out that Belgospishcheprom Concern plans to develop export-oriented projects in several ways. “The first task is to maintain the hard-won positions in the traditional markets by any means. The second task is to ramp up presence in non-CIS countries and Europe. We are starting to branch out into the American markets: the United States and Canada,” Alexander Zabello said. “We plan to start delivering products to South America, to Brazil, for instance. We have increased supplies to Southeast Asia. We have started to operate in the markets of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. We also have plans to advance to the market of Thailand.