New company to launch Moroccan citrus imports into China

“Our focus is to import less known fruit varieties from off track destinations into China. For example, avocado from Chile has become a well-established import product on the Chinese market. Instead, we want to focus on importing Chilean mandarins. We have a solid partnership with Dutch import and export company Van Walderveen. Only two weeks ago I was in the Netherlands to meet with the management of Van Walderveen. Together we are preparing the export of Moroccan oranges and mandarins to China. The domestic Chinese citrus season is about to end. The Moroccan crop will be available in September,” introduces Keith Zhao, founder of Chengdu BeeDen Trading.

“Our Dutch partner is responsible for purchasing the product and we are responsible for import and sales on the Chinese domestic market. In China, fruit from Morocco is new and considered quite exotic. Last month, the King of Morocco visited China as the head of an official trade delegation. During this visit, an agreement was signed that broadens trade cooperation between the two countries. Already before this visit, we were in talks with some Moroccan citrus suppliers. We have received a number of samples from Morocco in earlier weeks. This is how we found out that our clients are very interested in these products. We are one of the first Chinese companies to launch imports from Morocco.”

The team of Chengdu BeeDen Trading on a business trip to the Netherlands

“Our company is located in Chengdu, which is in the Southwest of China. We are connected to several big wholesalers in China, including in Beijing and Chengdu, and we cooperate with a number of local wholesalers in the South of the country. We do not import directly into Chengdu, costs for this would be too high. Instead we choose to work with the port of Tianjin. Transport costs from Tianjin to Chengdu are similar to shipments from Guangzhou to Chengdu, and the benefit is that Tianjin is located much closer to Beijing.”

Moroccan orange, Peruvian mandarin
“Between June and September, there is short domestic citrus available on the market. We want to fill this gap with imported citrus from Peru and Morocco. Mandarins from Morocco ran out early this season. That is why we launched mandarin imports from Peru. Once the samples from these countries arrive, the Chinese Inspection and Quarantine Services. If the batches pass these checks, we can start importing substantial amounts. The products are already allowed on the Chinese market, these are final formalities. At the end of September, the new Moroccan citrus crop will be available. From Morocco to China, original lead time was around 35 days or more. Now we have found way that has reduced transport time to 27 days only.”

Moroccan citrus under the Faras brand

“Our import products have a number of advantages over domestic and other imported citrus varieties. Firstly, we supply a branded product. Secondly, we have a price advantage compared to Australian, South African and Spanish citrus. Finally, we have a broad range of sizes we can choose from. For the Chinese market, we decided to work with four different sizes. Our producer will carefully select on size and quality before shipping the product. We are also looking into the import of Moroccan orange juice. We are now working on some official procedures, as this product has not been imported before. The juice is made by our citrus supplier”

Keith Zhao
Chengdu BeeDen Trading

Email: keith_beeden@foxmail.com
Chengdu, Gaoxin Dis.of Sichuan Provence, Global Centre W3-8-1-720, China
Tel:+86 1860 0814 085 / 028-65279182