China as a net food importer: opportunity or threat for global food partnerships

Good health and food safety are important for Chinese people. The 1.5 billion Chinese wants to be sure that their food meets international quality standards. Business advice and know-how to upgrade national food industry is welcomed as well as innovative ways to avoid inflation because of increasing food prices. China as net food importer offers opportunities for European food industry. These opportunities will even become bigger because of the higher income and changing eating habits of the Chinese urban population will result in more demand for quality products.