The Asian Cuisine Festival is around the corner and New Zealand warmed up for the event by holding a food promotion event in Guangzhou on April 23.

The event was held by a commercial delegation led by David Parker, minister for trade and export growth, with plans for similar promotions in 20 cities across China.

New Zealand is well known for its high-quality dairy products, wine, fruit and fish, with food exports making up a large part of its economy. 

A customer browses the abalones on display at the promotion event. [Photo/ycwb.com]  

According to the minister, bilateral trade between China and New Zealand hit $16.86 billion in 2018, with New Zealand's exports to China currently standing at $400 million, an increase of 34 percent year on year.

He explained the delegation's decision to visit Guangdong province first by highlighting the fact that it is the largest source of Chinese visitors to New Zealand.

Zhou Lan, manager of Alibaba Group's Australia and New Zealand trade department, said that the products on display at the promotion event are all high-quality and brands known around the world, such as the Rockit Apple and Anchor Butter, as well as fresh oysters, mussels and lobsters.

A customer samples fruit imported from New Zealand at the promotion event on April 23. [Photo/ycwb.com]