German food exports to China surge 47 pct in first half market

German food exports to China rose almost 47 percent in the first half of this year, the Federal Association of German Food and Drink Industries (BVE) said on Monday, despite a slowdown in Chinese economic growth.

The surge in food sales contrasted with a less than 1 percent rise in Germany's total exports to China in January to June - the same as to crisis-burdened Greece - according to figures from the DIHK chambers of commerce.

Strong demand for German food exports is as much due to Chinese consumers' widespread suspicion of domestic food products as a growing demand for German goods, said trade agency Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI).

German dairy products are in especially high demand, said GTAI's representative in Beijing, Stefanie Schmitt: "People don't trust Chinese dairy products after so many food scandals in the past few years."