What's Keeping Ningbo "Buyers" Busy on Eve of CIIE?

 

 

By Zhao Yu and Sun Yuzhuo (Yongpai Client), with contributions from correspondents Chunyi and Wang Liangtu

The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to officially open its doors tomorrow.

Duan Xiaohong, General Manager of Ningbo Imported Commodity Exhibition & Trade as the organizer of the Central and Eastern European Countries' Products Area, departed for Shanghai at 6 a.m. today. She is now on-site at the CIIE, completing last-minute confirmations.

"We have brought 65 brands and over 1,200 products this year, with about 20 brands making their debut at the CIIE. Our booth is fully prepared, and we're now in the final phase of readiness," Duan said in an exclusive update from the exhibition venue. "For instance, our new Romanian sunflower seed oil, though its main shipment is still undergoing inspection at the port, has already attracted a major domestic distributor who has scheduled a meeting at our booth. Samples are on display, awaiting inspection from all interested parties."

The DIY chocolate-making experience, which was previewed earlier, was facilitated introduced by Zhang Peng, General Manager of Yashengxiang International Trading Co., Ltd. in Ningbo Free Trade Zone (FTZ), a company that has participated in all eight sessions of the event.

"During the previous China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair, a Hungarian chocolate artisan who's a social media influencer garnered significant popularity. We specifically invited him to the CIIE this time," Zhang explained. Building on the success of several popular chocolate varieties, they are actively refining and enhancing their recipes, adjusting sweetness levels, and experimenting with additions like hop flavors to better suit Chinese consumers’ palates.

 

 

The Central and Eastern European Countries' Products Area, with exhibition setup complete (All photos courtesy of the interviewees)

 

 

In addition to the "group participation" exhibition area, Chen Yi, General Manager of Ningbo Dijia Weida Trade Co., Ltd., achieved a significant first this year: securing an independent booth for the Bulgarian brand "biofresh" for the first time.

"This marks my fifth year as the general agent for this brand, and securing an independent booth at the CIIE for the first time is profoundly significant for us," stated Chen.

Her "shelves" are brimming with products: Bulgarian honey, essential oils, and hair dyes, alongside Polish milk and crystal glasses. New arrivals are constant.

"During this year's China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair, I finalized an agreement with an Albanian producer to import pure essential oils, which have now arrived in China. The essential oil market and 'fragrance economy' have seen significant growth in recent years, prompting me to introduce seven essential oil scents for their debut at the CIIE,” Chen said, adding that the company’s domestic sales have consistently increased, with revenue up over 20% year-on-year.

 

 

The independent booth for Biofresh Chen Yi mentioned

 

 

Also en route is Zheng Yao, General Manager of Jiexiya (Ningbo) International Trading Co., Ltd. Having completed booth setup on the evening of the 2nd, she swiftly returned to Ningbo and is now once again heading for Shanghai.

"We are presenting our global debut 'Eternal Aurora Collection,' along with 1.5-meter-tall artistic vases and other crystal products at this year's event. Just this morning, I received a message from a client unable to attend, requesting immediate updates on our new products and latest developments,” Zheng stated. "The CIIE is an annual fixture for us, a must-attended event. We've also arranged on-site meetings with several clients to discuss bespoke requirements and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration."

 

 

The Central and Eastern European Countries' Products Area with a dazzling array of specialty products

 

 

The CIIE, however, extends beyond a mere business-to-business (B2B) platform. The exhibition's final three days are accessible to the general public, fostering anticipation among direct consumer engagement.

"In recent years, we’ve observed a growing presence of end customers at the venue, in addition to our distributors. Many inquire, 'Beyond the CIIE, where else can these exquisite crystal glasses be purchased?'" said Zheng. "Our aspiration is to establish more brand flagship stores, ensuring our products achiever greater direct exposure and accessibility to consumers. This represents a key strategic direction for our growth."

Duan Xiaohong concluded with palpable enthusiasm, stating: "I sincerely hope that all enterprises in Ningbo can secure high-caliber domestic partners, enabling an even greater array of premium global products to enrich Chinese consumers' purchasing choices, grace their tables, and seamlessly into their daily routines."

Join us tomorrow for the opening! We'll see you at the venue.

 

 

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