Algarve oranges may reach the Chinese market in the first half of 2019. The Algarve company Open China, which aims to serve as a commercial link between China and Portugal, "is returning to the cargo to try to export oranges from the Algarve", taking advantage of the growing interest of Chinese consumers in Western products.
Ricardo Mariano, CEO of Open China, says he is «convinced that, in the first half of 2019, we will manage to have Algarve oranges in China. Let's start by exporting to Hong Kong, which is easier bureaucratically, where we are now closing a deal with an importer. Then we plan to reach China. It's the third time we've been trying».
In addition to oranges, «we are also investing in the export of recycled raw materials. China is banned from importing waste, there are great restrictions, and they are running out of raw materials, because there are no recycling habits. It's a cultural issue. Therefore, we are also betting on the export of this type of material».
the entrepreneur of Faro it also wants to take wines from the Algarve to China, since “soon we are going to invite some wine companies to join Open China. The idea is for us to make presentations at two fairs in this sector, in the cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou».
According to Ricardo Mariano, who regularly visits the most populous country in the world, “China is increasingly valuing Western products and Chinese consumers are very open to purchase. The area that is identified, in supermarkets, with products from abroad, has increased and the aisles are getting bigger», he says.
Regarding Xi Jinping's visit to Portugal, which ended this Wednesday, Ricardo Mariano considers that “the presence of the president of China here can open the eyes and doors to Portuguese businessmen. China is an opportunity from an export point of view, it needs a lot of work, investment and adaptability».
The CEO of Open China explains that «a Portuguese businessman cannot say that he is going to export to China. It can, at most, export to a district, which is nothing more than a large neighborhood. For example, Shenzhen, where we have our headquarters in China, has around 14 million inhabitants divided into five districts, each with around three million inhabitants. Therefore, due to scale and product supply capacity, this has to be thought about».
In addition, adds Ricardo Mariano, “it is necessary for businessmen to realize that they cannot enter the Chinese market in any way. You have to show your face. In China, there is a great deal of value in face-to-face personal contact. I'm sorry when I go there. This is obviously the case for imports, because with exports from there, everything is much easier».
The businessman also explains that “there are two distinct sides to the Chinese interest in Portugal: during the crisis, the Chinese saw Portugal as an opportunity to buy cheaply and made several acquisitions, which are public, particularly in terms of real estate. However, nowadays, we receive contacts from other business areas, in addition to the sectors most associated with the Chinese market, such as commerce and restaurants».
However, warns Ricardo Mariano, “there is much talk about the relationship between China and Portugal, now with the presence of the president here, but this relationship is not being built with us alone. We are not champions of anything in relations with China. We are just one more to take advantage of this situation», concludes the businessman from Faro.
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