(Yicai Global) March 22 -- China’s exports of canned foods have grown steadily in recent years, reaching an all-time high in 2022 as food prices in other counties rose.

Exports of canned foods rose 12 percent to more than 3.1 million tons in the 12 months ended Dec. 31, according to data from the China Canned Food Industry Association. By value, they jumped 22 percent to USD6.9 billion, also a new record, as the average price per ton rose 9.3 percent to USD2,205.

With global food prices rapidly increasing and logistics and transport clogged up amid the Covid-19 pandemic, China's canned food exports surged last year, Securities Times reported, citing Liu Youqian, director-general of the CCFIA. The country has ample canned food production capacity, and the quality of its products is high, Liu said.

Exports have also been good so far this year, according to businesses in the canning industry, Liu noted, adding that the growth will continue. 

A Shenzhen-based food trader exported 500 containers of foodstuffs in cans last year, and the figure will likely grow about 20 percent this year, according to Sun Baiyu, an employee at the firm.

China's canned food has global influence because of its price advantage, Liu pointed out, noting that ocean shipping charges have significantly dropped as the impact of Covid-19 eases.

Exports to the United States rose 19 percent to 396,300 tons, those to Russia jumped 23 percent to 165,000 tons, while those to the Philippines and Malaysia soared 24 percent to 90,000 tons and 9 percent to 88,600 tons, respectively.

Editor: Martin Kadiev