China imports RM62m local F&B in 2012

China imported food and beverages (F&B) worth RM62.38 million last year as a result of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade)-Parkson Beijing collaboration.

Matrade said this accounted for 20 per cent increase against 2011.

"Currently, about 360 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) Malaysia’s F&B products are sold in Beijing Parkson’s supermarkets, supplied by 19 suppliers, comprising mostly local Chinese importers and distributors.

"Many Malaysian F&B brands are now available in Beijing as a result of this collaboration over the past six years," the national trade promotion agency said in a statement today.

Matrade said its Beijing office is currently supporting initiatives by some of Parkson’s suppliers to also distribute Malaysia’s F&B products to local and foreign-owned hypermarkets and convenient stores such as 7-Eleven and Jia Hue Supermarket.

It said efforts are also being made to assist importers and distributors to penetrate north China through a series of events and promotional activities.

"We encourage local manufacturers and exporters to venture into China’s rapidly-expanding consumer market," it added.

Food and beverages imported from Malaysia include biscuits and cookies, snacks, confectioneries, pudding, jelly, frozen seafood, coffee and tea.-- Bernama