ESCALATING global trade disputes and market protectionism are not likely to have any impact on the robust food business in China, according to exhibitors and visitors attending SIAL China 2010 yesterday.

Some food companies have a positive outlook because the segment is not strategically important unlike industrial materials, and they believe that countries would play an active role jointly to eliminate disputes before they worsen.

Earl L. Peterson, chairman of United States-based Peterson Farms Inc, a tart cherry producer, said countries would want to work together to resolve disputes. "I hope both China and US would benefit from discussions," he said.

As the leading international exhibition for food and beverage industries on mainland China, SIAL China attracted more than 1,339 exhibitors from home and abroad this year. The huge crowds attending the event at the Shanghai New International Expo Center also reflected that food producers have a high expectation of the Chinese market.

Peterson said despite the recovery in the European Union market, entering China is still important and gives a much-needed boost to his company's future expansion.

He is confident that health-conscious Chinese consumers will accept his firm's tart cherry products and "our goal is to sell 100 containers for the first business year."

Carlos Hernandez, general director of Tequila La Cofradia, a Mexican tequila firm, aims to seek mainland distributors as China will soon lift a ban on imports of high-level tequila.

The company, which sells about 35,000 cases of Tequila at 100 yuan (US$14.64) to 130 yuan per bottle, wants to boost volume as well as promote high-end items with new bottle designs that have Mexican features.

Hernandez said it would be "no surprise" to sell 7,000 cases of Tequila at 500 to 800 yuan per bottle in China.

The exhibition will end tomorrow.