Use WeChat to crack into China’s F&B market, says columnist
KUALA LUMPUR: Local ecommerce players should use WeChat to crack into China’s food and beverage ( F& B) market as Malaysian food items, especially frozen and packed food, are a hit in the republic, a senior member of China’s think tank Ebrun said.
Ye Zhi Rong, who is a columnist at the Chinese biggest e- commerce media company, said Chinese preferred foreign foods, especially ‘ Made in Malaysia’ products, as they considered them to be of high quality and trustworthy following a series of tainted and fake food scandals there over recent years.
“By using WeChat, Malaysian investors can take advantage of its payment system for Chinese consumers, hence maximising their profits,” he told reporters after attending the SF International Forum here, yesterday.
Ye said among Malaysian foods that were popular and in high demand among Chinese were ‘ Musang King’ durian and white coffee.
“Frozen Malaysian durian, which is available in China both as whole frozen pulp and as a puree, is popular among confectioners, restaurants and food processing companies, and can be consumed just like fresh durian.
“Malaysian investors and entrepreneurs can utilise WeChat to market their food products by sharing content and messages, and even transfer money through the app without travelling to China.
“WeChat also allows foreign investors to interact with their consumers in a way that has not reached the same scale in the Western world.
“China is the largest F& B market in the world with its import market expected to increase more than 15 per cent annually and will be worth US$ 71 billion by 2018,” he said.
Meanwhile, SF Express International Business Unit Head of Customer Solutions Joshua Ruskin said Malaysian e- commerce merchants needed to study Chinese consumer behaviour before exporting their products to China.
He said according to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, top products were baby food or milk powders as these were at the centre of food safety scandals in China besides seafood as it occupied a pivotal role in Chinese consumption pattern, especially during festivals.
He said among daunting challenges faced by merchants were complicated customs procedures, tax regulations, non- transparent prices, language barriers, lack of awareness of new brands, and cultural differences.
“SF Express is able to customise solutions for all e- commerce merchants at different stages of business development, including logistics, customs clearance, marketing, helping merchants enter China’s market,” he said. — Bernama