SHANGHAI, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Argentina has launched a pavilion at one of the permanent exhibition areas of China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai where the Argentine firms can demonstrate their products all year round and seek trade opportunities.
Covering 164 square meters, the Argentine Pavilion, which opened Thursday, serves more than 30 companies not only bringing already well-known Agentine products such as beef, seafood and wine, but also jams and snacks to debut in the Chinese market.
With some of its chocolates already popular in China, Argentine food company Arcor, which showcases its products at the pavilion, hopes to bring more of its snack line to the Chinese market.
"We have adjusted the formula of the chocolates sold in China, as consumers here prefer less sweet and more cocoa," said Angela Wang, sales manager of the company.
China is now Argentina's second largest trade partner and its largest export market for agricultural goods. The South American country exports more than half of its exported beef, chicken and peanuts, and over 85 percent of its exported soybeans to China.
China's demand for Argentine products continues to grow. For example, Argentine red shrimp, one of the most appreciated kinds for high-end consumers, is favored by far more Chinese food lovers, said Diego Ramiro Guelar, Argentine ambassador to China.
At the pavilion, Guelar's opinion is echoed by Mauricio Boullaude, CEO of Argentina's Barbarians Wine Group, who believes that "China will soon become the world's largest wine market."
Boullaude brought his products to the first CIIE last year and found that wines produced from Malbec grapes from Argentina are popular among the Chinese consumers.
"The Chinese market is very important to us because the demand of the major wine consumption markets globally is basically stable, while (that in) China is growing," he said.
Boullaude looks forward to participating in the second CIIE this November when Argentina will have a larger pavilion to serve more companies.
Many Argentine firms have deeper understanding of this import-themed event through last year's expo, and the enthusiasm for the second CIIE is rising, according to Guelar.
