How deep is the water in the imported food agency business?

When Mr. Zhang opened the cheese gift box air - shipped from France, he might not have expected what kind of journey this delicacy had gone through - from a European factory to the bonded warehouse in Hohhot, and then directly to his dining table through the local agent's cold - chain network. This city, traditionally known as the "Milk Capital", is quietly transforming into the core hub of imported food trade in northern China.

As the capital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot has unique geographical advantages: It radiates the Mongolian and Russian markets to the north and connects to the consumption hinterland in North China to the south. According to the 2023 customs data, the local imported food clearance volume increased by 37% year - on - year, with dairy products, red wine, and snack foods accounting for over 60%.

• Policy support: Dual qualifications of cross - border e - commerce comprehensive pilot zone and comprehensive bonded zone
• Logistics infrastructure: Regular operation of China - Europe freight trains, and the cold - chain storage capacity exceeding 500,000 cubic meters
• Consumption upgrade: The local per capita disposable income grows at an average annual rate of 8.2%

Ms. Li's trading company recently represented a batch of Spanish hams, and she summarized the successful experience:

• Compliance with qualifications: It is necessary to have both a food business license and imported food filing
• Cost control: Bulk purchases can reduce the proportion of international freight to less than 15%
• Localized operation: Adjust the packaging specifications for the northern market (such as small - portion family packs)

A certain German beer brand, through Zhongshitong's "one - stop" agency service, shortened the distribution cycle in the North China market from 90 days to 45 days. Its core advantages lie in:

• An independently developed intelligent customs clearance system with a customs declaration error rate of less than 0.3%
• Establishing in - depth cooperation with local supermarkets and community group - buying
• Providing customized quality inspection reports (such as halal food certification)

With the expansion of the access list for Central Asian agricultural products, special - featured products such as Kazakh honey and Uzbek nuts are becoming new growth points. Industry experts suggest paying attention to:

• The innovative application of cold - chain technology (such as - 25℃ deep - freeze storage)
• The channel change brought by live - streaming e - commerce
• The Z - generation's curiosity - driven demand for "exotic flavors"