Table-talkers speak Greek
The lands and islands of Greece are not only a tourist paradise but also a gastronomic heaven.
The second International Conference of Greek Quality Food, Wine and Spirits, held from June 8-10, treated 230 foreign buyers and journalists to a feast of Greek cuisine and a banquet of culinary knowledge. The event was also attended by a number of renowned chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, David Rosengarten, Tsukiko Hattori and Steven Olson.
The event was organized by the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) in Iraklion, Crete, and in Santorini. The event - the biggest-ever of its kind in Greece - hosted 154 Greek producers. It was also visited by an unprecedented 20-plus Chinese buyers and journalists.
Buyers from Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing were mostly interested in importing quality olive oil, wine and dairy products into China.
"We are looking at the growing group of customers with middle and higher income levels," said Yao Hong, GM at Nanjing Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, which set up the company as a general agent for 100-year-old Greek olive oil brand Minerva.
Use of olive oil is catching on in China, and the cooking aid has become known for its health benefits. A bottle of Greek olive oil that sells for 6 euros ($8) in Greece costs 130 yuan ($17) in China, according to Yao. That's triple the price of a bottle of soy sauce in Beijing.
Although it might be a little expensive for the average-income demographics, many Chinese people have started buying it for holiday gifts.
"Greek products, such as cheeses and wines, are not as diversified as those from some other countries," said Edward Lou, GM at Jenny Lou's, a supermarket popular among Beijing expats. "Australian products, for example, come in really clear, easy categories that make it really easy for different income groups to choose from."
Greek wine has a relatively weak foothold in the Chinese market, compared to China's biggest exporters: Australia, Chili and France. Greek olive oil sales to China are also less than those of Italy and Spain.
"Although Greek products are famous for high quality, there is much market promotion and strategy to be done," Lou said.
Panayiotis Drosos, CEO of HEPO, said at the conference that exports of Greek food, wines and spirits abroad have grown by 33 percent in the last two years and are projected to increase at the same pace this year. He said 2007 is a big year for Greek fishery products globally, as it also is for Greek dairy products and beverages sold in the United States and Canada.
(China Daily 06/20/2007 page20)
