Hundreds of leading Chinese agriculture companies, chemicals, fertilizers and equipment makers and promoters of latest farming techniques are taking part in the ongoing China Agriculture Expo in Sharjah.

The agriculture expo is being held as part of the 11th Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 10 to 13.

“China is the UAE’s second largest trade partner, with imports from China mainly comprising manufactured goods while in the region the demand for food and food products are on the rise,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, director-general, Expo Centre Sharjah.

“Similarly, the requirements for farming techniques, especially for organic farming, that suit our climate are also increasing. This clearly suggests that there is good scope for Chinese agri products and farming techniques in the region.

“The China Agriculture Expo will also open new investment channels for regional enterprises and help explore joint venture opportunities in the field,” he added.

According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, the trade between the UAE and China grew to $15.6 billion in 2012, against $14.2 billion in 2011, registering a 10 per cent rise.

The imports from China mainly included electronic appliances, radio-audio recording devices, cameras, mechanical tools and devices, and articles of iron and steel, while strategic focus areas for cooperation remained financing, real estate, construction and foreign trade.

“The characteristics of desert environment like high temperature, rarity of water resources and high salinity of the soil have made farming tough in our part of the world and the agriculture sector’s contribution to the GDP is minimal when compared to other non-renewable resources,” said Al Midfa.

“This highlights the issue of rising food imports. Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah’s first China Agriculture Expo will surely put the spotlight on the regional agriculture industry.”

According to Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, the gap in most farm products has worsened over the past years, with that in grain and flour rising from around $8.5 billion in 2004 to $9.1 billion in 2005, and $9.58 billion in 2006.

Wheat widened from $4.4 billion in 2004 to $4.6 billion in 2006 while that in corn surged from around $1.5 billion to $2.02 billion. The gap in rice also grew from $1.24 billion to $1.32 billion and that of barley jumped from nearly $868 million to $1.9 billion during the same period.

“This is the first time that the Chinese government is going global with its agricultural enterprises and farm products. The exhibitors at the show are all leading establishments in the field of agricultural technology, farming techniques and farm products and inputs,” said Patrick Zheng Shuo, general manager, Chinamex.

“Another highlight of this showcase is that all the products displayed are environment-friendly and organic.

“This is also for the first time that the Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah is having an agricultural theme. Adhering to the theme, we are devoting ourselves to promoting cooperation between China and Arabian countries and introducing Chinese agriculture into Middle East countries,” he said.

In the course of four days, the show will display agricultural products, packaged food, beverages, livestock and poultry (no pork), fruit and its products, oils, frozen food, condiments, dried food, cereals, vegetable and vegetable products, canned food, chemicals and bio-fertilizers, farming equipment, waste management, food processing machines, greenhouses, irrigation and landscaping equipment, organic farming, pesticides, seeds and soil nutrition products, spraying machinery, water treatment and water management systems. – TradeArabia News Service