Gateway to Asia

The China International Pet Show (CIPS) alternates annually between venues in Beijing and Guangzhou. From 1 to 4 Novem­­ber 2012, the pet supplies sector met at the new exhibition halls close to Beijing’s international airport. Among the exhibitors predominantly from China and Tai­­wan and the country pavilions from Korea, Hong Kong and Malaysia, a large number of exhibitors from Europe were also to be found, including Flexi and Schulze Heimtierbedarf from Germany, GA Pet Food and Mark & Chappell from the UK and Tropical from Poland. Many other internationally recognised brands such as Tetra, Hagen and Trixie were presented by their respective general importers and Chinese partners. Data and facts According to a post-show report by the organiser, the CIPS 2012 again saw continuous growth in scale this year. With 826 (+ 9 per cent) exhibitors from 17 countries and areas, the gross exhibition area set a new record of 59 000 m2, an increase of 18 per cent over last year. There were 139 exhibitors from abroad. The visitors covered a broad international spectrum too, originating from 64 different countries, while Chinese visitors to the show travelled to Beijing from 31 Chinese provinces. Trending now: premium products European exhibitors at the CIPS were not particularly troubled by the fact that many products coming from Europe soon spawn imitations in China. Mo­dern Chinese citizens now drive Mercedes and Volkswagens and no longer want to buy the products of their own country. This goes for products for dogs, cats and fish too. Companies like Trixie, Eheim, Hagen and Hunter are turning the demand for high-class goods from western Europe to their advantage, and their general importers presented the brands on show stands that in some cases were lavish and attractive. “Made in Germany is a key selection criterion for the modern Chinese citizen,” Flexi sales manager Kai Schubert told PET worldwide, for example. David Bennison, sales director at the British private label specialist GA Pet Food Partners, confirmed that the quality of foods manufactured in Europe is highly regarded in Asian markets. This trend is often obstructed, however, by China’s stringent import regulations. Good prospects Just a few weeks after the end of CIPS 2012, the organisers reported that over 350 exhibitors had already confirmed their participation in the CIPS 2013. This will take place on 16-18 November 2013 in Guangzhou in the south of China. “As the city of Guangzhou is always…