Kyrgyzstan's farm products gain ground in Chinese market

Kyrgyzstan has actively expanded exports of agricultural products to China to further underpin the cooperation between two countries. But the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Kyrgyzstan says the local produce must pursue differentiated development to enter the Chinese market.

China ranks as Kyrgyzstan's top trading partner. But given the vast disparity in two countries' economic size, Kyrgyzstan faces a serve trade deficit, which the local government has long sought to address.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Kyrgyzstan believes for country's agricultural products to unlock the Chinese market, the key lies in differentiated development, with natural and additive-free being the biggest selling point.

Enjoying a near-pollution-free environment, Kyrgyzstan produces good-quality honey. The most iconic is its white honey, made by bees collecting specific floral nectar. The country exports over one hundred tons of honey annually, and China became its biggest buyer last year.

This honey exporter plans to enter the Hong Kong market next year.The honey has previously been showcased at exhibitions in Hong Kong. He believes Hong Kong consumers have high purchasing power and possess good taste, making Hong Kong an ideal market for premium honey.

He notes that the honey quality on the market varies wildly, making it hard to distinguish real from fake. Yet, when Hong Kong buyers tasted the product, they can tell the honey is of good quality and are generous with the compliments.

This dried fruit merchant says Chinese customers have increased this year, buying peanuts and dried apricots, adding that Kyrgyzstan's dried fruit prices are highly competitive and the Chinese market is very promising.

Wang Jiahong, Secretary-General of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Kyrgyzstan, says Kyrgyzstan's per capita GDP and consumption levels remain low, with a per capita output of just over 2,000 U.S. dollars.

Last year, Kyrgyzstan exported its first batch of 23 tons of dried apricots to China, serving as a stepping stone for local products to enter the Chinese market. The two nations also reached agreements last year on exporting wool and beans to China, as the local government continues its drive to push more enterprises into the Chinese market.