A year after six Eastern Cape-based companies were placed at a permanent trade fair in Ningbo, China, for 30 months, significant inroads into the “lucrative Chinese consumer market” have been made, with the companies securing growing orders and distribution channels for their products.

Development financier Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) said on Wednesday that, with China set to become the world’s largest consumer of imported and exported food by 2018, and the Chinese domestic market size of imported food reaching $480-billion, export interventions were required to further boost the value of Eastern Cape trade.

“Ningbo, therefore, presents immense opportunities for the Eastern Cape as it could serve as a channel for Eastern Cape products to larger markets within China and the rest of the world,” said ECDC market access specialist Zodwa Kepeyi.

She pointed out that the ECDC had facilitated exports to the value of R1.1-billion in the first six months of this year and a total of 54 new and existing businesses were assisted with integrated export development support.

“Our long-term view is to attract investment from China and boost employment creation in the province by acquiring long-term contracts and new investment.”

The ECDC said Grahamstown-based Makana Meadery had secured an order of 600 bottles of its Eastern Cape "African-style" honey-based wine, iQhilika, after exhibiting in Ningbo for less than a year.

“We predict that in 2014 the order will rise to 1 600 bottles and to 2 000 in 2015,” Kepeyi said.

Further, mohair products producer Momentos of Africa sold out R10 500 worth of samples, followed by a second delivery of R11 250, while a merchant had paid for a third order of R38 250.

Pickled cherry peppers processor Carara, also based in Grahamstown, secured a working relationship with Seea Seafood Restaurant, which was owned by a large franchising group with market capacity in over ten major provinces in China.

The ECDC believed that the restaurant chain would use 5.5 kg a day – 2.2 t/y – of cherry peppers.

Meanwhile, the recent launch of the East London Exporters Club was expected to provide a platform for the city’s exporters to become globally competitive and to convert local traders into international players, joining Port Elizabeth, Durban and Cape Town as the only cities with such a club.

“For [the] ECDC, the establishment of the East London chapter of the Exporters Club means traders from this region will save on transport and opportunity costs related to travelling to Port Elizabeth to access the services of the club. It also brings [the] ECDC closer to its clients and allows for improved interaction,” Kepeyi noted.