On November 4th, Dagfinn Torstveit, a Norwegian pig raiser, visited a physical store of Fresh Hema, a Chinese chain store for fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, with the Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food Olaug Vervik Bollestad, who is leading a delegation of about 30 companies to participate in the second China International Import Expo (CIIE). During the visit Ms. Torstveit was quite emotional to see Danish pork products neatly arranged on the shelves.

Dagfinn Torstveit and Olaug Vervik Bollestad visit a Fresh Hema store in Shanghai. [Photo/ www.thepaper.cn]

According to Ms. Torstveit, this is the first time she has come to China. She is at the CIIE to promote “blueberry pig” products, a breed of free-range pig raised in the Vindafjord district on the west coast of Norway. Its meat has a unique and delicious taste and texture from the varied diet consisting of grass, herbs, roots, blueberries, and blueberry bushes.

“We started breeding 'blueberry pigs' in Norway three years ago,” said Ms. Torstveit, who has been selling “blueberry pig” products since earlier this year to Norwegian consumers. Although there is only one small physical store in Norway available for the sale of “blueberry pigs”, Torstveit has already set her sights on the huge Chinese market.

"The price of 'blueberry pig' is not expensive. It is only about 80 yuan per kilogram, but the pork quality is extremely good. This time we have come to China and hope to find potential Chinese customers. In the future we want to sell 'blueberry pig' to Chinese hotels and restaurants," said Ms. Torstveit.

In Norway, the size and quantity of pig farming is strictly regulated by the government, and annual pork production is at the global midstream level. Since Norwegians have achieved 100% self-sufficiency in pork supply, a lot of pork is exported.

The Chinese market has a large demand for pork imports. Data from the General Administration of Customs of China shows that China's meat imports have increased greatly this year with pork growth being the largest.

Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Olaug Vervik Bollestad, in a Fresh Hema store in Shanghai. [Photo/ www.thepaper.cn]

Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food Bollestad introduced that her small goal at the CIIE is to promote Norwegian pork and dairy products and the big goal is to see Shanghai, establish contacts with Chinese officials and make contacts between Chinese and Norwegian companies.