Changing local tastes driving B&R food imports

SHANGHAI - Chinese homes had once never heard of exotic products such as African shea butter, Spanish artichokes and Arabic herbs, but all this has changed thanks to increasing trade with economies that are part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

At a recent food expo in Shanghai, Nong Zhimin, general manager of a food company, offered free samples of pickled artichokes for visitors to taste at his booth. Much to his surprise, the vegetable received a warm response.

"Compared with star products like avocado and kale, artichokes have just entered the Chinese market and are less well known, but we're confident they will soon be widely accepted," Nong said.