Chinese buyers have shown interest in Pakistani snack products during a visit to China by a food-sector delegation from South Punjab.

Shahid Imran, convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s regional food committee, said the delegation was exploring export opportunities, business partnerships and possible joint ventures in food manufacturing and processing.

He said the response from Chinese buyers had been encouraging, particularly for Pakistani snacks that meet international food safety and quality standards, Gwadar Pro reported on Tuesday.

Imran said products made by Zia Snacks had attracted attention from Chinese importers because of their taste, quality and manufacturing standards.

He said Pakistani manufacturers could target China with a wider range of processed food products, including potato chips, corn-based snacks, biscuits, confectionery and other value-added foods.

Moving from raw agricultural exports towards processed food could help Pakistan increase export earnings, support value addition and improve the competitiveness of its food-manufacturing sector, he said.

Imran said stronger government facilitation, improved logistics, better trade connectivity and compliance with international food safety standards would be needed to expand processed food exports.

He also urged Pakistani food manufacturers to improve quality certification, production technology, packaging, branding and pricing to build a longer-term presence in the Chinese market.

He said closer links with Chinese importers, distributors and retail chains, as well as more trade exhibitions and business-to-business meetings, would be important for sustaining growth.

The visit comes as Pakistan and China seek to expand agriculture and food-sector cooperation under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with officials from both countries identifying value addition and export-led growth as priorities.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China