A rapid annual increase of 20 percent in China's food processing industry has been driving major global companies to seek a share of the country's market.
WTO entry has drawn these companies to China, which is becoming the world's largest importer of food and ingredients, as evidenced by the appearance of as many as 500 food companies from 22 countries and regions at the Food Ingredients Asia-China 2003 fair in Shanghai.
In addition, some 15,000 buyers from 45 countries and regions paid a visit to the fair, with national procurement teams seen from Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
This fourth food ingredients fair is one of many such international fairs, according to Eliane Van Doorn, a senior officer with CMP Information, the fair's sponsor.
Supported by China's expanding food market, the fair attracted such multinationals as CJ Corporation from the Republic of Korea, Corman S.A. from Belgium, leading essence makers Givaudan and Frutarom Flavor, the world's largest fruit jelly supplier Herbstreith & FOXKG, the world's largest crude dairy producer NZMP and the world's largest vitamin and carotin producer Roche.
(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2003)
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