From September 18th to 23rd, a delegation of 10 Chinese professionals undertook a Study Trip to Europe, as part of the “EU Pork, The Smart Choice” campaign. Visiting Barcelona, Zaragoza in Spain, and Lisbon in Portugal, the group sought to deepen their understanding of European pork, engage with the local culture, and establish meaningful connections in the industry.

The Europe Study Trip, with its carefully curated itinerary, aimed to exhibit the consistent commitment of European pork to quality, safety, and sustainability. Participants, through their visits to industry hubs and meals at notable restaurants, were given a practical look into various aspects of the products and operations.

On the 17th, a seminar was hosted, featuring INTERPORC sharing data on the recent trends of Spanish imports to China, giving a detailed overview of both fresh and processed products. Following that, on the 21st, an industry meeting in Lisbon saw FILPORC highlighting the dynamics and ongoing changes in the Portuguese market.

The business objective of the trip was the main one, but not the only one, as the trip also facilitated a cultural exchange, enabling participants to engage with the vast array of European traditions, cuisines, and landscapes. The journey, which spanned from Barcelona’s lively streets, through the historical allure of Zaragoza, to Lisbon’s enchanting landscapes, offered the delegation a firsthand experience of Europe’s diverse culture and rich history. Local delicacies were tasted, age-old traditions explored, and the unique mesh of history and modernity in each city was excitingly explored.

The delegation, comprising 10 professionals—mostly importers—came with significant purchasing influence. The primary aim of this Study Trip was to influence these key decision-makers, encouraging them to consider substantial import volumes of our products. The hope was that by exhibiting the unique qualities and benefits of our products during the trip, we might subtly influence their future purchasing decisions.”