China International Import Expo: Russian ice cream industry welcomed by Chinese market

World
Europe

02:11

Two years ago, Russia's President Vladimir Putin gave a gift of ice cream to President Xi Jinping during the G20 meeting in Hangzhou City. And since then, firms say that Russian ice cream exports to China have rocketed. It is one of the industries that will be on display at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, as Lucy Taylor reports from Moscow.

No matter the temperature outside, Russian people love to eat ice cream. Even the President likes it. Vladimir Putin brought a box as a gift on a visit to China. Since then, one of Russia's leading brands says its Chinese exports have multiplied.

DENIS KAZMIN DEPUTY CEO, ICEBERRY "The Chinese market is extremely attractive since nearly 1.4 bln average-income customers live there, and the culture and the structure of Chinese consumption is shifting towards the better quality, more expensive ice cream produced abroad, including in Russia."

This firm has exported 300 tonnes in the last year. Now, they're opening a new office in Shanghai. And they say they're learning to navigate the Chinese market.

LUCY TAYLOR MOSCOW "They say Russians like vanilla, where Chinese people prefer chocolate. Exporting overseas comes with its challenges, from transport to customs checks, but Russia wants more companies like this one to find a place in the Chinese market."

Officials say trade with China grew 30% last year. But the bulk of exports are still raw materials. In the future, Russia hopes to export more of its products to China, everything from soya and wheat, to car parts and chemicals.

ANDREY SLEPNEV CEO, RUSSIAN EXPORT CENTER "We have placed Russian companies on major Chinese e-trade platforms, and we're registering an increasing interest in Russian goods. And we're hoping the China International Imports Expo will introduce consumers to Russian products."

The ice cream firm hopes to deliver directly to retail chains next year. And Russia hopes this kind of trade will keep hitting the sweet spot. Lucy Taylor, CGTN, Moscow.