One country that's looking forward to growing new business ties at the Import Expo is South Africa. China is among the most important markets for South Africa's citrus industry. The citrus-rich Western Cape region accounts for over 60 percent of the country's exports to China, and it expects even more trade following the expo. CGTN's Travers Andrews has this report.

Over the years South African citrus farmers have faced many challenges including drought and citrus black spot. This year though seems to be a good harvest.

These consignments of Western cape oranges are among the many thousands of tons that make their way over to China, where demand for citrus fruit is increasing dramatically.

Local citrus producers have aligned themselves and their production volumes closely with that increase in consumption and that has spelt good news for all.

ALAN WINDE WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES "We've seen phenomenal growth, if you look back 10 years, America was the biggest exporter of Citrus to China and now suddenly South Africa is the biggest exporter to China, that was also on the back of blackspot, these diseases do create barriers, we need to farm smarter, we need to make sure that we mitigate those kind of risks but the Western Cape itself has also got advantages because we are black spot free."

As much as 45 000 tons per month is being exported to China, with farmers planting new crops and varieties to keep up with demand which shows no signs of abating.

ALAN WINDE WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES "The volume of per capita consumption of citrus into China, also growing phenomenally, from just about nothing to within a few years, seven and a half kilograms per capita per year and now sitting at about 18 kilograms of citrus per capita per year, so really just a massive market."

The Western Cape government sees the China International Import Expo as a platform to further cement the countries' standing as the main supplier for Chinese markets.

TRAVERS ANDREWS CAPE TOWN "The citrus that are destined for the Chinese market are not only selected for their taste but also on their physical appearance, a well-rounded well structure fruit, are the ones that make the grade."

So a lot of work has gone into growing quality citrus, through efficient and smart agricultural technologies. After all, a lot is riding on South Africa's standing globally and jobs rely on that as well.

TIM HARRIS CEO, WESGRO "We export around three quarters of a billion and every year to China, essentially one of our every five dollars of export revenue we generate, comes from citrus, so it's really strong sector for us, it's grown really strongly, between 2013 and 2017 we saw a 60% growth in exports to China, so we are very excited at how closer economic and political relationships can lead to an even closer relationship on exports of citrus."

For now though, while the freshly harvested Cape citrus make their way into the homes, retailers and supermarkets across China, the local citrus sector continues to forge ahead with its export orders and are certainly hoping for good news to emerge during the expo this coming November. Travers Andrews, CGTN, Cape Town.