For many in China, organic food is no longer unfamiliar. Despite being home to a fifth of the world's population however, China has little farmland conforming to organic cultivation. Europe, with its advanced organic food industry might be a good choice for imports.
From January 10-13, a promotion of European Union (EU) organic food is being held in the Guangzhou Xinguang City Plaza (新光城市广场). The event is included in a Sino-Italian project sponsored by EU and Italian government, and organized by Italy's Bioagricoop and Guangzhou Canton Universal Fair Group Ltd.
Organic production
Following the events in Shanghai and Guangzhou, a series of promotional activities composed of food tasting, cocktail parties, food expositions and other events will be held in Beijing and Hong Kong before March 2010.
Organic food: environmentally protected with no added chemicals
What kind of food is organic? Production must be strictly controlled during the whole process of cultivation, manufacturing and conservation. Clean soil and water not only ensures food quality, but also environmental protection.
No added chemicals are a key factor in the production of organic food. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Fruit and vegetables are produced without using chemicals, pesticides or man- made fertilizers.
European certification: a high standard in the world
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Dr. Giovanni in the interview
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The project has produced all kinds of organic products including rice, oil, cheese, jam, cereals, grains, beans and wine. Dr. Giovanni Galanti, who is responsible for the project on the Italian side, introduced the food with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), an EU certification for the organic food mainly from Italian companies.
He said that, the food will be certified with a labeled PDO logo if the farm has followed all the rules necessary to meet the standards. The PDO is a very high standard in the world and has been authorized in over 140 countries. Production locations are not limited to Europe.
Business opportunities: The Chinese market is expanding despite high prices
The Chinese are increasingly concerned about food safety. Organic food is difficult to mass produce, so prices are two to three times higher than their counterparts.
Staffs of the project
When referring to the plans for organic food sales in China, Dr. Galanti said that, there is no definite schedule. As a non-profit organization for international co-operation in bio-organic agriculture, Bioagricoop would like to let more people know about healthy food in China first. He optimistic about China's expanding market and welcomes agents for import.
(Reported and photographed by Jessie Hwang, Alan Devey)
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