The well known and exceptionally rapid economic growth of China over the last 20
years, during which the official average annual growth rate is estimated to have
been around 10% produced rising of incomes of the population and demands for
specific food items such as meat incrases, while among the higher income
bracket, greater demand develop for package and convenience foods. Statistic
confirm that the food industry is already one of the most rapidly growing
sectors in China’s economy.
Shaanxi province is situated at the centre of China. It is undeveloped province
but one of largest producers of agro-food products in the country. The province
is rich in fruit and milk resources. Fruit processing industry is one of the
fields that the provincial government encourages to develop further. There were
more than 1500 food enterprises at township area in Shaanxi (2000). Among these
746 were from food processing sector.
Shaanxi is introduced to the national policy of promoting the development of the
inland areas of the country and to attract foreign investment. One of the main
objectives of investment in Shaanxi, defined by provincial authorities, include
the agricultural field – the dissemination and application of update food
preservation and processing technologies and implementation of export – directed
agro-food projects.
For further development of the sector Chinese central government decided to
establish in Shaanxi region the first national agricultural high-tech model zone
of the country with participation of the province and other concerned state
ministries. It is situated in the Yangling District, 90 km from Xi’an and is one
of favourable places for matchmaking event in Shaanxi. It will be organised by
project’s Associate Shaanxi Food Association.