Foreigners sweet on China
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-20 11:21

Shanghai Ted Foodstuffs Development Co Ltd, China's biggest agent for European confectioneries, is among those capitalizing on the trend. It plans to introduce more than 300 varieties of European confectionery products to China this year, double its previous amount.

Some 10 percent of China's US$12 billion confectionery market is made up of imports and products made by foreign-invested companies, compared with less than 1 percent only a few years ago.

Shanghai Ted has brought to China such European treats as Guylian chocolates, Bahlsen biscuits and Feodora chocolate.

"The company plans to reinforce its introduction of new brands and products this year as more domestic consumers can afford the high-priced imports and are paying more attention to the quality, health and even packaging of the food," said Chris Shi, a sale executive at Shanghai Ted.

"The increasing number of expatriates has also brought brisk sales in the past couple years."

The company has also opened more than 30 specialized stores or counters called Maxmile European Foods City.

Shanghai Ted is one of the more than 200 food makers and dealers from around the world that are displaying their latest products at China Sweets 2005.

China's largest international confectionery show will run through tomorrow at the Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Center.

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