China being the largest consumer of food products and also the fastest-growing food market in the world, offers vast opportunities to producers using organic methods other than regular agricultural chemical products. In first and second-tier cities, the number of specialist and boutique food shops selling organic food is growing, especially among the Chinese middle class and expatriate community who have disposable income and are willing to pay a premium for good-quality and safe food.

In recent years, the demand for organic food and imported products from European countries have risen in popularity due to the rapid socio-economic development of the country and several favorable policies issued by the authorities.

We are glad to invite you to this webinar organised by the EU SME Centre, EUROCHAMBRES, Sicindustria, and EEN, in the framework of ExpoCook2021. During this session, designed for European companies seeking to enter the Chinese market for organic food and beverage, participants will receive an overview of the market and practical insights that will help identify and grasp opportunities in this particular sector.

You can find the recorded webinar on Youtube:

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Agenda

10:00 – 10:10: Opening speech

─ Presentation of the EU SME Centre and the speakers

10:10 – 10:30: General market overview for imported food 2020

─ Chinese economy overview and China trade relations

─ Analysis of China’s F&B imports in 2020

10:30 – 10:50: Introduction to Organic F&B

─ Definition of Organic in China

─ Relevant regulation

─ Mutual Recognition Arrangements

─ CBEC

10:50 – 11:10: Market overview

─ Estimated organic food consumption

─ Consumer behaviour

─ Relevant product categories

11:10 – 11:30: Other trends and opportunities

Connecting the organic category with other trendy categories (healthy food, snacks for children, plant-based meat and dairy alternatives) and claims

11:30 – 11:50: A glance into Hong Kong organic market

─ Regulatory overview

─ Market dynamics

11:50 – 12:00: Conclusions and tips to approach the market

12:00 – 12:15: Closing remarks and Q&A

About the speakers:

Pablo Recio Gracia Eibens Managing Director

Pablo has lived and worked in China since 2005. During this time he has developed a strong knowledge of the Chinese market, in particular relating to food and beverage import and distribution processes and trade barriers, from both a legal and commercial standpoint; and attracting Chinese investment into specific projects or regions.

Currently, he is the managing director of Eibens, company stablished in China in 2005 with offices in Madrid and Beijing. Eibens is focused on the Food and Beverage sector, working with EU SMEs, International trade promotions agencies and public companies. Services include all steps from training, to market intelligence, market entry or commercial follow up. As secondary sectors Eibens also work in cosmetics sector and ecommerce.

From 2012 to 2014, Pablo was the Director of Gold Millennium Beijing. In his previous roles, he worked for public agencies including ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade) and Extenda (Trade Promotion Agency of Andalusia), as well as for private companies involved in international trade between Europe and China. Pablo has consulted and advised many European companies engaging in the Chinese market.

He holds a Bachelor in Business from the University of Granada and two Masters Degree in Quality Management and Business Internationalisation. Pablo Recio is a frequent speaker in business seminars in Europe and China. In the last few years, he has frequently cooperated with the EU SME Centre and organizations such as the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, LIAA, FINPRO or Bord Bia among others.

Pablo has lived and worked in China since 2005. During this time he has developed a strong knowledge of the Chinese market, in particular relating to food and beverage import and distribution processes and trade barriers, from both a legal and commercial standpoint; and attracting Chinese investment into specific projects or regions. Currently, he is the managing director of Eibens, company stablished in China in 2005. It has two offices in Madrid and Beijing. It is focused on the Food and Beverage sector, working with EU SMEs, International trade promotions agencies and public companies. Services include all steps from training, to market intelligence, market entry or commercial follow up. As secondary sectors Eibens also work in cosmetics sector and ecommerce. From 2012 to 2014 he was the Director of Gold Millennium Beijing. In his previous roles, he worked for public agencies including ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade) and Extenda (Trade Promotion Agency of Andalusia), as well as for private companies involved in international trade between Europe and China. Pablo has consulted and advised many European companies engaging in the Chinese market. He holds a Bachelor in Business from the University of Granada and two Masters Degree in Quality Management and Business Internationalisation. Pablo Recio is a frequent speaker in business seminars in Europe and China. In the last few years, he has frequently cooperated with the EU SME Centre and organizations such as the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, LIAA, FINPRO or Bord Bia among others.

DANIEL DE PRADO ESCUDERO SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL AT HFG LAW & IP PRACTICE

Mr Daniel de Prado is Senior Legal Counsel and Head of Spain & LATAM desk at HFG Law & Intellectual Property in China.