The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC), Ghent University, Cacaolab, the EU SME Centre and the Province of East Flanders organised a seminar focused on how to export chocolate to China. During this session, experts gave participants a better insight into the Chinese market, consumer behaviour, cultural differences, export regulations, legal aspects and stability issues of exported chocolates. This was done through different case studies. Participants also learned how to export through the different Chinese e-commerce platforms and directly met the right contacts to introduce products on the Chinese market.

Following a word of welcome by FCCC and Ghent University/Cacaolab, Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director, Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce, talked about how to deal with cultural differences between East and West. “How to export snacks to China?” was introduced by Mr Yu Xiaoning, EU SME Expert and Founder of EG DistriSelecta (a Beijing-based importing company operating in the F&B Sector for 25 years – mostly beer, chocolate, biscuits, and other FMCG). He also gave an overview of the market and talked about consumer behaviour, future outlook, and case studies of EU companies exporting to China. After lunch, Mr Yu Yingbao, Representative of the Shanghai Overseas Promotion Center for Service Trade (SOPCST) talked about exporting via e-commerce. “Legal aspects when exporting to China” was explained by Mr John Balzano, Partner Covington and  Burling. Prof. dr. ir. Koen Dewettinck (Head of the Laboratory of Food Technology and Engineering of Ghent University and CEO of Cacaolab (bvba) and Mrs Claudia Delbaere (Project Manager at Cacaolab bvba) gave a talk on the topic of how to guarantee the stability and shelf life of products.

A Q&A session concluded the event.