Europe Sees Great Potential For Its Food In China

By Vivian Jin  |   2009-5-20  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE European Union is hoping to sell more agricultural and food products to China to help balance its trade deficit, according to Mariann Fischer Boel, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.

"We are seeing a huge growth in food trade with China and I expect this growth to continue," said Boel. "We see huge potential in China."

Boel, along with a delegation of chief executive officers from major European food companies, was in Shanghai yesterday for the opening ceremony of SIAL China 2009, at which the EU aims to promote high value-added products including wine, spirits, olive oil, meat and dairy products.

The EU is also holding "Tasty Europe" promotions in 38 Metro stores across the country from May 18 until June 3.

Boel is due to visit Beijing for high-level talks with Chinese counterparts focusing on food promotion and combatting protectionism.