Annual participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has not only given a more realistic, three-dimensional and comprehensive view of China, but also more confidence in cooperation with Chinese enterprises, according to French business leaders participating in the CIIE.
“When we live in France, every day, we read in the newspapers that the Chinese economy is slowing down. But every time we come here, we do not feel this slowdown, but a permanent transformation and development,” said Wednesday Daniel Sauvaitre, president of the Interprofession of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (Interfel), during an exclusive interview given to Xinhua as part of the 7th CIIE.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, France was designated “guest country of honor” of the 7th CIIE. This year, the French Food pavilion is home to four French fruit producing and exporting companies. They offer seven varieties of selected seasonal fresh apples, which better suit the taste of Chinese consumers, and French baby kiwi unveiled as a new product at the CIIE.
According to Mr. Sauvaitre, China, which has a market very open to innovation, is a world leader in digital technology and e-commerce. In his eyes, “there is still a large area of cooperation between French fruit export companies and their Chinese partners”.
Jérôme Vanachter, president of the French group Lesaffre for China, is also optimistic about the prospects of the Chinese market. The yeast producer has been operating in the Chinese market for more than 40 years, with factories in Anhui, Guangxi and Inner Mongolia, as well as baking centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities. , in order to customize products according to the needs of Chinese consumers.
During this edition, Lesaffre signed 12 strategic cooperation contracts with Chinese bakery and pastry companies. Mr. Vanachter said he was deeply impressed by consumers’ attraction to taste innovation. “You have to understand consumer needs and market trends and be ready at any time,” he insisted.
Today, the “taste of France” crosses the oceans and becomes a reality with the “French farm to Chinese table” mechanism, the latter constituting an emblematic milestone in Sino-French cooperation.
Anne Richard, general director of Inaporc, told Xinhua that the CIIE was an “excellent opportunity” to meet potential clients from around the world. Both France and China are large consumers of pork and have strong potential for future cooperation.
This is the fifth time that Andros China Group has participated in the CIIE. Maxence Zeng, its general manager, recently told Xinhua that China has market and investment advantages and his company aims to promote Sino-French cooperation and common development in the agri-food sector through concrete practices. .
Since 2024, Pierrot Gourmand, a confectionery brand of the Andros group, has replaced the plastic sticks of its famous lollipops with recyclable wooden sticks, while the Andros China factory has improved the packaging of this product line using fully recyclable paper, thus achieving 100% recyclability of packaging materials.
China offers various favorable factors in terms of social, market and investment environment, such as social stability, vast market potential, proactive investment policies, relatively complete industrial chain, Zeng said. , adding that these factors are the main reasons why Andros chose to cooperate closely with China.
