ISTANBUL, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkish companies are heading to the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai with tailored natural cosmetics and premium foods, aiming to tap into China's Generation Z consumer market.
Spearheading Türkiye's national participation at the 9th CIIE, scheduled for Nov. 5 to 10, the Aegean Exporters' Associations (AEA) announced on Monday that 15 companies will showcase their offerings to expand their footprint in China.
To secure a lasting presence, AEA Coordinator President Muhammet Ozturk said Turkish exporters are shifting their focus from raw materials to high-value-added products to win over modern Chinese consumers.
Ozturk emphasized that China is home to roughly 300 million consumers with European-level purchasing power. To reach this demographic, he advised Turkish companies to specifically target Generation Z with personalized, niche products and localized packaging.
"Chinese consumers, once savings-oriented, are increasingly spending on high-quality and healthy products," he noted, adding that Türkiye is well-positioned to meet this changing demand.
"Three areas particularly stand out," Ozturk explained. "Cosmetics and personal care, featuring natural products derived from Turkish roses; healthy and functional foods; and premium Turkish products such as olive oil, dried fruits, hazelnuts, pistachios, and honey."
In the first nine months of this year, Türkiye's exports to China surged by about 41 percent year-on-year, rising from 2.12 billion U.S. dollars to nearly 3 billion dollars, according to the AEA. Encouraged by this momentum, the country has set a medium-term target of reaching 10 billion dollars in exports to the Asian giant, the association said.
According to official data, the mining sector dominated the overall export volume with 1.64 billion dollars, followed by chemicals at 618.5 million dollars. Meanwhile, Turkish food exporters contributed 210 million dollars.
The AEA's exports to China jumped by 43 percent to 542 million dollars in this period, driven largely by mining, textiles, and dried fruits, according to Ozturk.
Bilateral trade agreements are accelerating this growth, Ozturk said, noting that following a recent protocol, Turkish seafood exports to China tripled to 18 million dollars in the first nine months of the year. A new agreement for bay leaves was also recently signed, while the industry awaits similar approvals to lift quarantine barriers for potential export hits like cherries and poultry.
During the expo, the AEA will host a business networking event connecting Turkish exporters with Chinese buyers, and the delegation is also scheduled to hold talks with the China General Chamber of Commerce as well as major Chinese e-commerce and logistics players, he said. ■
