Kazakhstan's camel milk powder hits Chinese market despite COVID-19

"The success makes us feel the huge potential of the Chinese market and strengthens our determination to dive into the Chinese market," said Meirambekov, adding that, due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Kazakh side of the Horgos cooperation center has been closed since January, a big setback for the factory's sales goal.

On Jan 29, China's General Administration of Customs issued an announcement allowing Kazakh camel dairy products to enter the Chinese market. Three Kazakh enterprises producing camel dairy products, including Eurasia Investment, are among the first batch of companies getting export licenses.

After months of arduous efforts, 7,000 cans of camel milk powder weighing 3.5 tons arrived at the comprehensive bonded area of the New District in Lanzhou, the capital city of Northwestern China's Gansu province, on June 12, and began online sales. Over the past two weeks, a total of 138 cans have been sold.

Meirambekov said that the milk powder production has not been affected by the pandemic because of its remote location. However, due to border restrictions and quarantine measures amid the state of emergency, the export of the first batch of products has been postponed from February to June.

According to Chinese importers, the import procedure takes months and is encountering many difficulties due to the pandemic. Staff had to switch to online mode to communicate with the Kazakh side and make up a logistics plan after consulting with the Kazakhstan Import and Export Association, the manufacturer's export agency, said Kang Kewei, manager of the Lanzhou New District Commercial Investment Group Comprehensive Bonded Zone International Trade.

"Previously, Kazakhstan's camel milk powder entered the Chinese market only through border trade or overseas purchase. Now imported milk power is stored at a bonded warehouse. After customers place an order, products would clear customs and be delivered to doorsteps," said Kang.