Canadian wineries optimistic about western China market

Canadian Pavilion at the 2016 China Food and Drinks Fair in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province. 14 exhibitors representing 21 Canadian wineries participate at the fair. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Canadian wineries at the 2016 China Food and Drinks Fair in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, are optimistic about the western China market.

Held from March 24 to 26, the fair this year attracted 14 exhibitors representing 21 Canadian wineries, the largest scale since the Canadian Pavilion was set up at the fair in 2014, according to Guy Saint-Jacques, Canadian ambassador to China, who came to the fair to promote Canadian food and wine.

China has become the second largest market for Canadian table wine, and the largest market for Canadian icewine, with exports totaling $6.26 million in 2015, according to Global Trade Atlas and Statistics Canada.

"Canada is a small but excellent wine-producing region. The market share of Canadian table wine and icewine is growing in the world, especially in China," said the ambassador.

The ambassador said Chengdu is a perfect market for wine and icewine. "The wine consumption in Chengdu kept rising in the past decade, and I'm glad to see more and more people interested in Canadian food and wine," he said.

Everett de Jong, export director for Pelee Island winery, which is well-known for its icewine products, has participated in the China Food and Drinks Fair in Chengdu for 9 consecutive years. He said the sales volume of his winery at the fair kept rising in the past years, at a growing speed of 10 to 15 percent every year.

Liu Zhiqing, China Region agent for Pelee Island winery, said his business used to be in the eastern coastal provinces such as Beijing, Jiangsu and Shandong, but the market in western China is growing as more and more people get to know about Canadian wine.

The price of ice wine is a little high compared with many other wines, but Liu said he prefers to win the favor of customers with quality rather than price. "I'm optimistic about the western China market," he said.

Canada Berries winery, which offers a wide range of fruit wines, has participated in the fair in Chengdu for the second year. Polly Saw, general manager of the winery, said her products sold well last year and she is expecting to find a dealer in Chengdu this year.