Latin American Scents and Blooms Attract Chinese Buyers at CIIE

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At the 8th China International Import Expo, companies from Latin America explored new opportunities within China’s growing “scent consumption” market, showcasing regional specialties such as Palo Santo wood and fresh flowers to attract Chinese consumers.

Jesus Carrascal, the owner of Aroma & Paz, a major exporter of Palo Santo products in Peru, expressed confidence in China’s market potential after his debut at the expo. Known as “holy wood” or Palo Santo, this aromatic wood has traditionally been used across South America for spiritual and healing purposes. The trade show wrapped up yesterday in Shanghai.

All 3,000 boxes of Aroma & Paz’s Palo Santo incense were sold out, and the company is now in discussions with over ten importers. Carrascal mentioned that the firm currently exports around eight to nine tons of Palo Santo to China annually but expects this figure to increase to 15 tons next year following the expo.

A group of 11 small and medium-sized enterprises from Peru, led by the Peruvian Exporters Association, participated in this year’s event, with a focus on fresh produce exports. Peruvian blueberries, avocados, and mangoes were shipped directly to the expo via the Port of Chancay.

As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Chancay Port has significantly shortened shipping times from Peru to China—reducing transit from over 30 days to just 23 days—which has lowered logistics costs by more than 20 percent.

The opening of Chancay Port has greatly improved delivery times, especially benefiting the fresh fruit industry, since quicker transit helps maintain fruit freshness and stabilize prices, according to a representative from the Economic and Commercial Office of the Peruvian Embassy in China.

Ecuadorian firms also made a strong presence, showcasing their renowned tinted Nebula roses. A staff member from the Ecuadorian embassy’s commercial office in China stated that more than ten Ecuadorian companies participated this year, presenting products like white shrimp, cocoa, and flowers.

Although Ecuadorian imports—particularly flowers—generally carry higher prices because of their short shelf life and shipping costs, a free trade agreement signed between China and Ecuador in 2023 is beginning to ease these barriers. Implemented last year, the agreement aims to eliminate tariffs on 90 percent of goods gradually, reducing tariffs on products like flowers from the current 5 percent down to zero.

According to data from China’s General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade between China and Ecuador reached $12.9 billion in the first three quarters of this year, a 26 percent increase from the same period last year. China’s imports from Ecuador totaled $7.3 billion, reflecting a 24 percent year-over-year rise.