Turkish Food Exporters Establish New Business Connections in the Chinese Market

To increase Türkiye's food exports to the People's Republic of China and strengthen the recognition of Turkish food products in China, one of the world's largest consumer markets, a "China (Guangzhou) Trade Delegation" was organized in Guangzhou between September 2-6, 2026.

The trade delegation, carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade and organized by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) and the Aegean Exporters' Associations (EİB) General Secretariat, was joined by 12 Turkish companies operating in various sub-sectors of the food industry. Turkish companies had the opportunity to meet with Chinese importers, distributors and buyers to establish new business connections.

The Aegean Exporters' Associations were represented in the delegation by Mehmet Kadri Gündeş, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association.

Noting that China's large population, growing middle class and increasing consumer interest in imported food products hold significant potential for Turkish food exporters, Mehmet Kadri Gündeş, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, said the trade delegation was the scene of productive meetings.

Noting that Türkiye has a strong agricultural production infrastructure and a wide range of products, Gündeş made the following assessment:

"Türkiye has a strong agricultural production infrastructure across a very wide range of products. From olives and olive oil to dried fruits, from seafood to dairy products, from grains and pulses to fresh fruits and vegetables, we have numerous products we can offer to Chinese consumers.

Türkiye's food exports to China reached USD 218 million in 2025. In the January-August period of 2026, our exports increased by 22 percent to reach USD 177 million. However, considering the size of the Chinese market, we have the potential to rise well above the current figures.

Within the scope of our trade delegation, we carried out an intensive meeting program in which our companies were able to directly present their products to Chinese importers, distributors and buyers. The fact that more than 160 bilateral business meetings were held with nearly 60 Chinese buyers is an important indicator of the interest shown in our delegation. We hope these contacts will continue to increase in the coming period."

The bilateral business meeting program held within the scope of the delegation was attended by Mehmet Kadri Gündeş, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, Mai Jiaying, President of the Guangzhou Food Enterprises Association, Adnan Hayal, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Guangzhou, and Şerife Yıldırım Demirel and Taylan Özgür Kavşut, Republic of Türkiye Trade Attachés in Guangzhou.

Gündeş also stated that initiatives are planned to be undertaken through the Trade Attachés and the Consulate General for the realization of a VIP delegation program in the coming period.

Noting that they visited the SIAL in China South Guangzhou 2026 Fair on September 4, 2026 within the scope of the trade delegation, Gündeş said that following the fair, they also conducted market surveys at wholesale distribution centers and retail markets.

Emphasizing that consumer behavior and market dynamics need to be closely monitored in order to achieve lasting success in the Chinese market, Gündeş continued as follows:

"We must accurately analyze Chinese consumers' product preferences, packaging expectations, price perceptions, product positioning on shelves, and the functioning of distribution channels. Thanks to our visits to the fair, wholesalers and retailers, our companies had the opportunity to observe the market directly.

With the China Working Group we established within our Association in 2019, we continue our activities toward the Chinese market within the framework of a long-term strategy. We have organized trade delegations and national participation fairs in many cities from Xiamen to Ürümqi, from Shanghai to Beijing, and developed strong collaborations with Chinese institutions.

While continuing the promotion of Turkish food products on China's digital platforms, particularly WeChat and Weibo, we are also working with agencies approved by JD and Tmall to help our companies open digital stores.

Our goal is to raise our food exports to China above 1 billion dollars within the next 5 years. To achieve this, we will continue our trade delegations, fair participations, market research and digital promotion efforts with a comprehensive strategy."

12 Turkish companies operating in the grains, pulses, oilseeds and their products, seafood and animal products, olive and olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables, and dried fruit sectors participated in the "China (Guangzhou) Trade Delegation".

The companies in the delegation are as follows:

DAİ Endüstriyel Gıda Paz. San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti.

Feceks Dış Ticaret ve Gıda Sanayi Tic. Ltd. Şti.

Fevzi Tunçelli Damlyağ

Hipal Organik Dış Ticaret Limited Şirketi

Kanat Grup Gıda Tarım Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi

Kavaklıdere Şarapları A.Ş.

Narda Dış Ticaret Limited Şirketi

Parlak Su Ürünleri Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.

SHN Gıda Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi

Timtaş Tarım İlaç ve Mahs. Tic. A.Ş.

TLN Enerji Gıda Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti.

Uğuray Süt A.Ş.