Xiamen receives China's first group-import agri-food shipment from Serbia

A welcome ceremony is held for Serbian agricultural and food products. [Photo by Lin Yuyang for chinadaily.com.cn]

A batch of 75 specialty agricultural and food products from Serbia arrived at the Xiamen Xiangyu Comprehensive Bonded Zone on June 10, marking China's first group-purchased import of Serbian agricultural and food products since the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect.

A welcoming ceremony titled "From Serbia with Love" was also held on-site, with the Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in Shanghai attending the event.

The 75 specialty agricultural and food products mainly include wine, truffles, honey, fruit jams, and fruit purees. Kina Supply Chain (Xiamen) Co Ltd, the importer of this shipment, noted that this batch of Serbian products imported through Xiamen Port represents a breakthrough in both variety and quantity. More significantly, it marks the first group-purchased import container shipment, an approach that effectively reduces logistics costs and lowers the entry barriers for Serbian small and medium-sized enterprises seeking access to the Chinese market.

Serbia and Xiamen established their connection through the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT). In 2019 and 2023, Serbia served twice as the guest country of honor at CIFIT. 

Building on this partnership, both sides plan to establish a permanent "Serbia House" exhibition space in Xiamen this year. The venue will showcase Serbian culture and specialty products, with the aim of gradually developing into a bridge for economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Xiamen and Serbia. This initiative will help more high-quality Serbian enterprises and premium products enter the Chinese market through Xiamen.