Morocco Business Conference

Doing Business in Morocco

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership International Trade team hosted a  conference on Wednesday, August 24th, to talk about business opportunities in Morocco. The guest speaker for the event was David Garay, Managing Partner of Indegate Consulting in Casablanca. The event was held online as part of the VEDP’s program to promote international trade.

From his office in Casablanca, Mr. Garay spoke extensively and enthusiastically of the many advantages of doing business in and through Morocco as entryway to Africa for international business development. Economic insights and opportunities of Morocco and Africa highlighted by Mr. Garay included:

  • Morocco has multiple free trade agreements with the EU, US, and Africa, and is in negotiations with Canada
  • Morocco is a multilingual country with English, French, Spanish, and Arabic used throughout the business community
  • Morocco has 38 ports, including Tanger — the largest port in North Africa. Tanger handled 9 million TEUs in 2021
  • Casablanca Airport is the #1 Europe-Africa hub airport
  • The country has a modern infrastructure, including 2000km of motorways, the first high-speed train in Africa connecting Tanger and Casablanca, and tramways in Rabat and Casablanca
  • By 2030 Morocco is forecast to become the #1 car manufacturer in Africa
  • 70% of the word’s phosphate reserves, used in fertilizer production, is found in Morocco
  • The Morocco defense market is valued at $6.8B in 2022 and estimated to grow more than 6% in 2023-2027
  • The Noor Solar Project is the largest African solar plant, leading the way in renewable energy in Africa

The VEDP will be hosting a trade mission to South Africa and Morocco from November 7th – 11th, 2022. Virginia-based companies can sign up for this event at the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trade-mission-to-south-africa-morocco-2022-registration-298319972067

Previous VEDP international trade briefings are available at:

https://exportvirginia.org/resources?rtype=40

For further information regarding business in Morocco and Africa, contact David Garay and Indegate Consulting at the following:

davidgaray@indegate.com

edgarcayuelas@indegate.com

https://indegate.com/

(+212) 6 06 06 53 39

(+212) 6 56 60 66 73

 

The official analog document appointing Taro Kono as the Digital Minister of Japan.

Taro Kono Appointed as Digital Minister for Japan

Taro Kono has been appointed as the new Digital Minister for the Government of Japan. An outspoken proponent of modernization, Minister Kono is pushing for Japanese government and industry to move away from analog technology and processes and adopt contemporary digital tools.

For example, many Japanese offices still use the traditional hanko seal as an official signature on printed documents. During COVID lockdowns, Japanese employees and citizens were often required to go to local government and business offices to physically sign documents with their hanko. But Minister Kono is an advocate for digital signatures such as those used in websites like DocuSign and digital certificates available for Adobe PDF documents.

A graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Minister Kono has served in numerous senior Japanese government positions including Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, Minister of Administrative Affairs, Minister for Disaster Management, and several other roles.

Minister Kono recognizes there’s much work to be done to complete the transition from analog to digital in Japan as he pushes for innovation while playfully chiding himself and Japanese organizations through his own Twitter account about reliance on old technologies such as fax machines. It remains to be seen how much change Minister Kono can implement, but his focus on new technologies is expected to result in much-needed progress towards a more digital society in Japan.

China Olive Oil Market

China Olive Oil Market Analysis

| By Kimberly Kim |

Q1: Is there any interest from Chinese buyers to purchase US olive oil?

The Chinese middle class is booming and imports of foreign products continue to grow. Chinese consumer market interest in foreign olive oil has experienced an increase in recent years. As more and more Chinese consumers start to appreciate foreign food, especially salads, Chinese imports of olive oil will most likely continue to increase in the coming years.

By far the most imports of olive oil are coming from Spain, which takes more than 80% of the market in China.

80% of the olive oil is consumed in first-tier cities like Shanghai and Beijing. This doesn’t come as a surprise as these cities are more developed, with people who have more money and a stronger desire to try out Western products. 

Chinese consumers mainly prefer extra-virgin oil. Pricing your products at a higher level might not necessarily adversely impact sales, especially as cross-border sales tend to have high logistics costs.

Q2: Is there an agency or business consortium in China sellers can contact that buys US olive oil?

Chinainout is a leading and professional platform for foreign manufacturers to promote business in China.

http://oliveoil.chinainout.com is a website specifically designed for olive oil products, however most of the information on this site is about companies from Spain, Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Turkey, Syria, and Morocco. Initial review of the site shows no information regarding American olive oil companies currently selling in China.

There are also business directories for sale online which include olive oil import/export company introductions and contact information. The olive oil bottle prices range from 280 RMB—7800 RMB ($40 USD — $1100 USD).

Figure 1: ChinaInOut Website

Q3: Do buyers in China prefer to purchase in large volume containers (1-liter, 2-liter, 5-liter, or larger) or 250ml and 500ml bottles?

750ml is the most popular size since olive oil products are consumed as gifts in China. Also, they often come with well-made giftable boxes. 1-liter and 5-liter are also popular sizes for household use.

Q4: Who is responsible for import licenses? Are import licenses handled by the buyer in China or seller in the US?

Buyers are responsible for import licenses. 

Q5: What is the market price for gourmet olive oil in China?

The following table shows the top 10 olive oils available in the Chinese market, according to sales in Tmall by Alibaba.

Brand: Betty VallandPrice: 115RMB ($16.4 USD) 5LMade in China, Fujian Province20,000 bottles sold per month 
Brand: OlivoilaPrice: 218 RMB ($31.1 USD)  750ml*2 Made in China, Shanghai, 10,090 bottles sold per month 
Brand: Theotu Price: 49 RMB ($7 USD) 750ml, Made in Spain9,500 bottles sold per month 
Brand: OlivoilaPrice: 165.60 RMB ($23.5 USD) 1.6LMade in China, Shanghai6,000 bottles sold per month 
Brand: BellinaPrice: 99RMB ($14.1 USD) 750ml, Made in Spain4,722 bottles sold per month 
Brand: Theotu, Price: 198 RMB ($28.2 USD) 750ml*2Made in Spain4,713 bottles sold per month 
Brand: MuelolivaPrice: 25.9 RMB ($3.9 USD) 250mlMade in Spain4,266 bottles sold per month 
Brand: BetisPrice: 48 RMB ($7 USD) 250mlMade in Spain3,854 bottles sold per month 
Brand: OlivoilaPrice: 165 RMB ($23.5 USD) 750ml*2  Made in China, Shanghai3,388 bottles sold per month 
Brand: BetisPrice: 258 RMB ($36.8 USD) 500ml*2Made in Spain3,339 bottles sold per month 

 

Q6: Are there any other fees or licenses required to sell olive oil to buyers in China?

Information, Procedures and Tariffs Required to Import Olive Oil

A. Qualifications required by domestic consignees (companies) of olive oil imports:

  1. Food business qualification or food circulation license
  2. Import and export rights
  3. Automatic import license

B. Information required for edible oil import declaration:

  1. The official certificate of origin
  2. Official health certificate of producing country
  3. Manufacturer’s ingredient list
  4. Manufacturer’s product inspection report
  5. Proof that the product is registered and approved for sale in its country (region)
  6. One copy of the original packaging label sample and three copies of the Chinese and English label sample
  7. The official quarantine certificate of the quarantine manufacturer

C. Proof/license documents need to be provided before import

  1. The official certificate of origin
  2. Official health certificate of producing country
  3. Manufacturer’s ingredient list

D. Olive oil import duty rate:

  Import tariffs VAT Comprehensive tax rate
Virgin olive oil  10% 13% 24.3%
Extra virgin olive oil 10% 17% 28.7%

E. Olive oil import declaration process:

  1. Sign contract
  2. Replacement order
  3. Customs declaration pre-record
  4. Three inspections: Commodity, animal and plant, and sanitary inspections
  5. Sampling and submission inspection (if randomly selected)
  6. Customs document release and tax release form*
  7. Tax payment
  8. Customs inspection (if randomly selected)
  9. Customs electronic release
  10. Delivery of goods

Q7: Is it sustainable to sell olive oil via cross border e-commerce?

Cross border e-commerce can be a very successful business model. There are many companies that have succeeded immensely this way.

But the Chinese government has started to clamp down on cross border sales due to issues with everything from salmonella contamination to expired products.

China has also introduced a Positive List. Only products that fall into one of the categories on the Positive List can be imported into China through a cross-border eCommerce model.

In April 2016, China issued two versions of the “Positive List” for cross-border eCommerce, with the more complete version listing a total of 1,293 categories of products. This list was updated in 2018, taking that total to 1,321 product categories.

Fortunately, olive oil is included in the positive list, falling under the following tariff codes and descriptions:

15091000   Virgin olive oil

15099000   Refined olive oil

15100000   Other olive oils

Q8: Any other helpful information to successfully sell US olive oil to Chinese buyers?

If you plan to sell online in China, you have two main options:

  1. Sell the products both in-country and online. Selling in-country and on websites like Tmall will give you exposure to around 550 million consumers. 
  • Sell via cross border e-commerce, on websites like Tmall Global, avoid lengthy registration processes, and have lower costs. This is a fast track option for initial sales into the Chinese market.

The second option gives you exposure to around 100 million consumers and is recommended for companies that are less experienced in the Chinese market.

Summary

Olive oil is becoming increasingly popular in China where Spain is the biggest exporter, contributing to more than 80% of the market. Italy, Greece, and Turkey are seeing increased sales of olive oil in China.

Selling via cross border e-commerce is easier and less costly compared to traditional imports, as international companies don’t currently need to register with local authorities, provide test reports, or comply with the China Guobiao (GB) national testing certification standards.


Sources:

Information, Procedures and Tariffs Required to Import Olive Oil: China Customs

Positive List Helper: https://www.tmogroup.asia/china-positive-list/

*Imported olive oil customs clearance supervision certificate 7A. 7 refers to automatic permit; A refers to inbound cargo clearance form. Submit the certificate of origin of the exporting country and file it on the consignee’s website at ire.customs.cn

This report was researched and prepared by Kimberly Yinhua Kim, International Business Development Specialist at Intelliwings

For more information, please contact info@intelliwings.com

 

Orange’s initiative was to create an application rom

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Orange’s initiative was to create an application rom

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Orange’s initiative was to create an application rom

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.