Chinese ambassador studies food production in Skåne
China’s ambassador to Sweden, Gui Congyou, visited several farms and production facilities in and around Kristianstad yesterday, to gain a more in-depth knowledge of Swedish food production. Increased trade between Sweden and China was the focus when hosting companies Lantmännen, HKScan and the meat and processed meat group KCF, gave the ambassador a guided tour.
On the 17th of September, Lantmännen, HKScan and KCF, arranged a field trip to Kristianstad for Gui Congyou, the Chinese ambassador to Sweden,. The purpose of the visit was to gain a better understanding of Swedish food production and strengthen cooperative ties between Chinese authorities and the Swedish food industry. The aim is to facilitate the export of more Swedish food products, such as oats and pork, to China.
During the visit, the ambassador was able to follow the entire pork production chain, from farm to abattoir and then to the finished products. The day began with a visit to a farm that specialises in pig breeding. The livestock care that characterizes Swedish pig farming – with high animal welfare, disease control and the low use of antibiotics – was apparent to the ambassador and his staff. The tour continued to the HKScan factory in Kristianstad where slaughtering and meat cutting was demonstrated.
“It was a privilege to be invited to present our production and the ambitious work we are doing with regards to animal welfare, food safety and sustainable meat production. We are now preparing for exporting to China and developing our production and product range adapted to Chinese market demands,” says Sofia Hyléen Toresson, CEO of HKScan Sweden.
The day concluded at Mosslunda Farm south of Kristianstad, where the production of grain and poultry was shown. The farm is run by Per Lindahl, Chair of the Lantmännen Board.
“The visit was very much appreciated and gave us an opportunity to showcase sustainable Swedish food production. Lantmännen is actively working towards increased trade in farming commodities and food between Sweden and China, and this type of knowledge exchange is an important part of the process. Sweden has very high animal welfare standards and supplies grain and meat products of very high quality, which we hope to also be able to offer to Chinese consumers, once we have been approved for exports to China,” says Lindahl.
At present, Sweden is not licensed to export oats and pork to China. With regard to the process of obtaining export approval for Swedish oats and pork, protocols have been negotiated for signing. Once these respective protocols have been signed, each individual production facility will be subject to inspection by and the approval of the Chinese authorities before exports can commence.
“Exactly when Swedish export of pork can begin is as yet unclear. The Swedish companies are prepared for trade with China and ready to start exporting as soon as all the approvals are in place,” says Magnus Därth, CEO of KCF.
In addition to Gui Congyou and his staff, Swedish Board of Agriculture Director General Christina Nordin, Swedish National Food Administration Director General Annica Sohlström, government national coordinator for food exports, Johan Krallis-Anell, Håkan Henriksson, Chief Veterinary Surgeon, as well as representatives of Lantmännen, KCF and HKScan also participated in the tour.
Images are available at https://lantmannen.se/press-och-nyheter/bildbanken/
For more information, please contact:
Lantmännen Press Office
Phone: +46 10 556 88 00
E-mail: press@lantmannen.com
Magnus Därth, CEO KCF
Phone: +46 8 762 65 33
E-mail: magnus.darth@kcf.se
Ylva Swenzén, Communications Director HKScan
Phone: +46 8 725 85 10
E-mail: ylva.swenzen@hkscan.com
About Lantmännen
Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products. Owned by 25,000 Swedish farmers, we have 10,000 employees, operations in over 20 countries and an annual turnover of SEK 45 billion (approximately EUR 4.3 billion). With grain at the heart of our operations, we refine arable land resources to make farming thrive. Some of our best-known food brands are AXA, Bonjour, Kungsörnen, GoGreen, Gooh, FINN CRISP, Schulstad and Vaasan. Our company is founded on the knowledge and values acquired through generations of farmers. With research, development and operations throughout the value chain, together we take responsibility from field to fork. For more information: www.lantmannen.com/en.
About HKScan
HKScan is a Nordic meat and meals company. We employ close to 7 200 professionals in striving to serve the world´s most demanding consumers, maintaining quality throughout the full chain of operations, From Farm to Fork. HKScan produces, markets and sells high-quality, sustainably produced pork, beef, poultry and lamb products, as well as charcuterie and meals, with strong consumer brands, including HK®, Scan®, Rakvere®, Kariniemen®, Rose®, Pärsons® and Tallegg®. Our customers are the retail, food service, industrial and export sectors, and our home market comprises of Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. We export to close to 50 countries. In 2018, HKScan had net sales of EUR 1.7 billion.
About KCF
KCF is a specialist organisation that represents the Swedish meat and processed meat industry. KCF has 75 member companies within the meat, processed meat and ready meal sector in Sweden. Members include both large and small enterprises that process both Swedish and imported commodities and produce both conventional and organic products. KCF represents companies with combined sales of ca SEK 28 billion and around 8,000 employees. As such, the meat and processed meat industry is the second largest sub sector within the food sector in Sweden. www.kcf.se
