Food: Chinese challenge at work

Though a positive increase , the bet of ialian-chinese food trade is still to be made. The italian exports to China doubled in 2006 ( more 100% compared to the previous year), reaching € 53 miliard,but the incidence on the total export-rate stoppet at 0,6%. These data were spread by federalimentare in the opening-day of Vinitaly Cibus China, in Shangai. Among the key-products, wine (€ 10,2 millon and a 150% increase in 2006 compared to the previous year) the olive oil ( € 7,9 million and 39% increase) and other top-quality-products. Even as regards imports numbers are low enough, and increase is limited: chinese food products achieved € 139,3 million in Italy in 2006 ( 2,2% more than the previous year and a 0,8% incidence on the total italian exports from China). According to Federalimentare this phenomenon is not very normal at least, and Itis minly due to “ custom-obstacles and artificial extra-rate defences that have no true basis”.