Zhejiang Daily

Summary

The Qingtian Overseas Chinese Township International Agricultural Product Processing, Storage and Logistics Park, a modern agricultural science and innovation park integrating R&D, processing, warehousing and logistics, has become a core hub for Lishui's agricultural exports. Seven enterprises have settled in the park, including Qingtian Zhongzhi Products Trading Co. , Ltd.

In 2022, Qingtian was selected as one of the first linkage zones of the China-Central and Eastern European Countries Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Zhejiang Province. Through a national inspection reform pilot, Qingtian has achieved centralised inspection and one-stop customs clearance for agricultural products from different regions, with over 40 agricultural product bases registered with customs in the city. The park offers free export quality testing and '5+2' priority inspection services.

Xia Xiaoqing, head of Qingtian Zhongzhi Products Trading Co. , Ltd. , said that the company's trade volume grows by 20% annually, exceeding US$20 million, and plans to expand into Mexico, South Korea and Southeast Asia this year.

In July 2023, 30 tonnes of Qingtian bayberries were exported to Spain and Italy within 48 hours. Relying on 381,000 overseas Chinese and over 20,000 overseas Chinese restaurants, Qingtian sells agricultural products such as Qingyuan shiitake mushrooms, Yunhe black fungus and Jinyun water bamboo shoots worldwide, exporting an average of 50 tonnes of agricultural products per week.

Commentary

The Qingtian model offers a replicable reference for New Zealand agricultural exporters: first, leveraging the overseas Chinese network to open overseas markets. The Chinese community in New Zealand is equally large; New Zealand avocado, kiwifruit and other products can be promoted through Chinese restaurants and supermarkets by drawing on Qingtian's experience. Second, the facilitation of centralised inspection and customs clearance.

New Zealand agricultural exports to China often face lengthy inspection and quarantine procedures; if China-New Zealand mutual recognition or a similar 'fast track' could be established, time costs would be significantly reduced. Notably, Qingtian not only exports local products but also sources speciality agricultural products from Sichuan and other places via inter-regional collaboration for re-export. This supply chain extension strategy is worth noting for New Zealand companies — New Zealand could serve as a transit hub for high-quality agricultural products, integrating Pacific island resources to achieve economies of scale.

However, caution is needed to avoid homogeneous competition: Qingtian mainly targets the European and Middle Eastern markets, whereas New Zealand's advantage lies in high-end markets. It is advisable to focus on differentiated categories such as organic dairy and grass-fed beef and lamb, avoiding direct competition in low-value-added fresh produce.

Keywords: Qingtian, agricultural exports, overseas Chinese township, overseas Chinese, processing, storage and logistics park, bayberry, winter bamboo shoots, fast track, trade volume

Source: Zhejiang Daily