China’s 240,000 pharmacy outlets are looking to source Australian ranges of packaged and canned food, wine, biscuits, and chocolates as they introduce 'one-stop shops' to customers.
Pharmacy executives have reportedly made several 'raids' on Australia to lock away suppliers, but are looking to the Qingdao International Health Products Expo from 3-6 March to develop trade links with Australian manufacturers.
Organisers of the expo say there is major demand for Australian breakfast cereals, chocolates and biscuits.
Various model one-stop shops at an average size of 100 square metres will be highlighted at the expo.
Chairman of the Australian China Business Council, the Hon. Ken Smith, said the Qingdao Expo, which he will be attending as leader of the Australian delegation, would be unique.
“The development of the pharmacy in China, with the introduction of the one-stop shop concept, has opened the door to a wide range of Australian producers and manufacturers,” he said.
The national president of the Pharmacy Guild, George Tambassis, said his organisation had recently signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with its Chinese counterpart.
