At the Wuhan Han'ou International Import Store, a daily "global product showcase" is in full swing. Chocolate wafers from Belarus sit alongside craft beers from Germany, the rich aroma of Bordeaux wine mingles with the crisp scent of Armenian vodka, and shelves of Polish milk are emptied almost as soon as they're restocked. These "Silk Road goods," having journeyed across continents, are reshaping the consumption habits of Wuhan residents.  

At the Wuhan Han'ou International Import Store, a daily "global product showcase" is in full swing. Chocolate wafers from Belarus sit alongside craft beers from Germany, the rich aroma of Bordeaux wine mingles with the crisp scent of Armenian vodka, and shelves of Polish milk are emptied almost as soon as they're restocked. These "Silk Road goods," having journeyed across continents, are reshaping the consumption habits of Wuhan residents.  

"This Russian sunflower oil produces almost no smoke when stir-frying and has a subtle nutty fragrance," said Ms. Li, a regular customer, as she selected products. She’s one of many shoppers filling their carts with specialty products from over 30 countries.  

The rapid arrival of these international goods is made possible by an expanding trade network between China and Europe. In 2024, the frequency of China-Europe Railway Express (Wuhan) trips surged by 48%, forging a modern "steel Silk Road." Meanwhile, new international shipping routes at Yangluo Port act as "blue silk roads", bringing even more overseas products to central China’s markets. The Food Exhibition can also bring more overseas products to China’s markets.

"The most popular items are Poland’s dairy products," said store clerk Zhang Min, gesturing to a freshly restocked milk section. "A shipment of 6,000 cartons sold out in just two weeks." Thanks to temperature-controlled containers, these EU-standard dairy products make the trip from Polish farms to Wuhan shelves in as little as 12 days, rivaling the freshness of local goods.  

At the bonded goods zone in Hankou Railway Station, traveler Mr. Wang scanned a QR code on a box of Belgian biscuits. "The traceability info shows these traveled from Brussels to Wuhan in just 14 days via the China-Europe Railway," he said. Thanks to cross-border e-commerce tax benefits, imported products here are often 10-20% cheaper than retail prices.  

As trade along the Belt and Road intensifies, Wuhan is transforming from a domestic transport hub into an international trade crossroads. A representative from Hubei Port Group noted that the China-Europe Railway is no longer just a logistics channel but an economic bridge -- delivering Chinese solar panels and EVs to global markets while bringing European dairy, wine, and daily essentials to Chinese households. The Food Exhibition will also provide fresh imported products.

On this modern Silk Road, each train acts as a merchant envoy, allowing Wuhan residents to "shop the world" at their doorstep while propelling "Made in China" further onto the global stage.

If you would like to learn more about the food industry, please visit the SIAL China website for more information.

Source: CFSN

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