Approximately 200,000 tons of beef were exported to China from Uruguay in the first six months of this year, accounting for 66 percent of the country's beef export, says Cai Jiaxin, general manager of the Asia office of the National Meat Institute of Uruguay.

In 2021, Uruguay exported 360,000 tons of beef to China, accounting for 64 percent of its total beef export.

Data from the General Administration of Customs showed that in the first half of 2022, China's beef imports reached a new high in both quantity and value, and imports from Uruguay continued to rank among the top three.

It said that Uruguay has become one of the most important sources of imported beef to China.

"Uruguay is a developed agricultural country, and the export of agricultural products occupies a very important position in Uruguay's national economy," Cai says.

"Therefore, ensuring the health and safety of agricultural products is of great significance in Uruguay, and Uruguay has also formulated strict standards and laws to guarantee this."

The two countries established diplomatic relations on Feb 3, 1988.

"Trade relations have been increasing in a fantastic manner," Lugris says.

"There is growing trust between the two governments and between our two peoples, and that has provided a fantastic opportunity for the private sector to increase its interactions," he adds.

Uruguay's first foray into China was as an important provider of wool for the textile industry, but it has since diversified its exports to China.

"We are presenting many different products, mainly our beef and lamb. They are very well regarded by Chinese consumers," Lugris says.

"A very important percentage of our production is also coming to this country, such as that of dairy products, soybeans and other grains."

Lugris says the Uruguayan authorities are very happy to see that a greater number of economic relations are being developed between the two countries, as new products from Uruguay, including its sophisticated wines and olive oils, are reaching the tables of the Chinese people.

"We really hope that we can continue to integrate our two economies, and that the new products from Uruguay can be exhibited at different places in China," Lugris says.

The SIAL Shanghai exhibition offers a platform for food and beverage producers to display their new products and conduct exchanges with one another.

"We believe that consumer demand in the Chinese market is very strong," says Nicolas Trentesaux, general manager of SIAL Group.

The food and beverage exhibition has attracted nearly 40,000 exhibitors from more than 70 countries and regions over the years, and the number of visitors to the event has surpassed 1 million.

"We are hoping to receive our president in the near future here in China," Lugris says.

"We are getting ready for something big. We would love to see many things happening in the context of the bilateral relations next year."

yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn