Beijing (CNS) -- Cooperation between China and ASEAN in the coffee industry has witnessed a boom, offering a great opportunity for businesses in ASEAN countries, according to Xu Ningning, executive deputy secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Business Council, on Wednesday.
Malaysia’s white coffee, Indonesia’s Kopi Luwak coffee, and drip coffee from Vietnam and Laos have become favored choices for Chinese consumers.
China represents ASEAN’s largest importer of coffee, and is also home to the fastest growing consumer market for coffee products, according to Xu.
Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most important coffee production areas. In 2012, Vietnam ranked first in the world in terms of coffee export volume. Indonesia is also a major coffee producer and exporter.
A special committee aimed at promoting cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in the coffee industry was set up in Kunming, Yunnan province, in 2011.
The committee will hold a meeting in Kunming in June this year. Business leaders in the coffee industry from China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and the Philippines will attend the meeting and share insights into the future cooperation and development of the industry.
Xu suggests that, in the future, China should cut the tariff on coffee beans imported from ASEAN by 8%, in an effort to promote the coffee trade between the two sides.
