Riga The Latvian fruit and vegetable processing company Pure Food will export 200 tons of specially prepared Latvian blueberries to China in September, as LETA learned from chairman of the board at Pure Food Aigars Balodis.

He informed that Pure Food had purchased more blueberries than it needed as basic ingredients for its products; therefore they were looking for a cooperation partner abroad, where the berries could be sold. Now, a contract on exporting 200 tons of blueberries has been signed with an enterprise in China.
Today, Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs visited Pure Food plant together with a delegation of Chinese businessmen, headed by the Vice-Premier of China Hui Liangyu.
 
Chinese entrepreneurs showed interest in becoming acquainted with the most modern jam production plant in the Baltic States, which produces foodstuffs that are exported to over 14 countries of Europe and Asia.
  
"Taking in consideration that in the Chinese government Liangyu is directly responsible for agricultural matters, I believe it was a pleasant experience for him to visit in person a fruit and vegetable-processing company in Latvia. In talks with representatives of the Chinese delegation, agreement was reached to consider opportunities of cooperation between Latvia and China in the sector of agriculture. China could assist Latvia with experienced experts' advice on how to cultivate berries more efficiently, also in such climate as in Latvia. Chinese Vice-Premier Liangyu mentioned growing strawberries as one example, where China is one of the world's leaders," Balodis said.
 
The Chinese vice-premier also expressed appreciation of the fact that Pure Food uses China-grown strawberries, apricots and peaches in its production, and also exports some Latvia-grown berries to China.
 
Liangyu said he was pleasantly surprised to see a Latvian company that has managed to find and develop mutually beneficial cooperation. Linagyu also suggested Pure Food open a branch in China, which would open up more opportunities to purchase Chinese fruits and berries and also would provide access to consumer market of China.
 
As reported, last year Pure Food earned LVL 283,776, or 45 times more than in 2007 when the company's profit totaled LVL 6,302.

Pure Food turnover last year reached LVL 10.54 million, a 6.8% increase on 2007 (LVL 9.87 million).

Pure Food produces jams and fruit and berry fillings, mainly for Baltic Sea Region bakery and dairy businesses. 60% of company's production is being exported. Pure Food produces approximately 700 tons of production per month, 670 tons of which go to its corporate customers. The company exports its production to 14 countries, including Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Scandinavia, United Arab Emirates and other countries.
 
This year the company plans to increase its turnover by 14%, up to at least LVL 12 million.

http://www.purefood.lv/en/par-mums/