皇冠体育app

By Mitch Moxley and Zhang Qi (皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-27 09:55

In another dimly lit section of the LAN Club, Chinese buyers tasted wines from Israel's five grape-growing regions.

Because of the country's variety of wines, and the global reputation of Mediterranean wineries, Batia Levy, export director of Carmel Winery, Israel's largest producer of wines, grape juice and brandy, is optimistic her products will find a place in 皇冠体育app, where demand for wine is growing.

Carmel already sells several brands in 皇冠体育app through its Shanghai representative.

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"We hope 皇冠体育app becomes a major market for us," said Levy, whose company exports to 30 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Russia.

But consumer products from Israel remain a mystery to many Chinese consumers. In 2006, just 3.3 percent of all Israeli exports to 皇冠体育app fell into the food, beverage and tobacco category. Total exports to 皇冠体育app were just $958.4 million.

"Although the wine is good, it will be difficult to open the Chinese market, because it's already occupied by French, Italian and Australian wines," said Guo Jie, a wine trade professional.

"They need to know how to build an Israeli wine brand and how to promote the wine industry as a whole in 皇冠体育app."

Still, Guo believes Israeli wine, and other consumer goods, can find a home in the country. "Anything can have a market in 皇冠体育app," he said.

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