China agri-food e-commerce survey - business operators and industry organisations |
Welcome to the survey - language can be changed in top right corner
This survey forms part of a study for DG AGRI of the European Commission on EU agri-food exports via e-commerce to China. The study aims to provide information on existing and potential market opportunities for EU agri-food businesses to export agri-food products via e-commerce to China. It is expected that the findings of the study will ultimately be made available to EU stakeholders to assist with this aim. This survey is intended for individual companies and organisations or groupings representing companies. A separate survey for chambers of commerce and national authorities can be found here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EcommerceCNchambersagencies.
The study covers all relevant agri-food products – i.e. both those which use the channel at present, and those that do not currently use the channel but may have the potential to do so. Against this background, it is important we obtain input both from operators/sectors who do not export via e-commerce to China as well as those who do.
The study covers all relevant agri-food products – i.e. both those which use the channel at present, and those that do not currently use the channel but may have the potential to do so. Against this background, it is important we obtain input both from operators/sectors who do not export via e-commerce to China as well as those who do.
Your inputs into this survey will be anonymous and the results of this survey will be presented in an aggregated form.
Key definitions
It is important to note that the study focuses on EU agri-food products being exported by EU producers to China specifically through e-commerce. This is called cross border e-commerce (CBEC). There are three main ways for this trade flow to take place:
• B2C: the sale of agri-food products by EU operators directly to Chinese consumers through e-commerce channels. The EU operator maintains control over the whole process (though e.g. third party platforms and shipping services may be engaged).
• B2B2C: the sale of agri-food products by EU operators to Chinese consumers through e-commerce channels based on an agreed co-operation with one or more business intermediaries specifically for selling through this channel. For example, products are ordered online by a Chinese consumer from the EU operator’s e-commerce shop, but are shipped by a China based intermediary who keeps stock in a local warehouse and arranges delivery.
• B2B: businesses in China buy EU agri-food products through e-commerce platforms directly from EU businesses. All the main phases of this B2B transaction (e.g. negotiation (if any), signing/commitment, payment, shipping etc.) must take place through the same digital platform.
Please note that in all three models of cross border e-commerce, the EU business is directly involved in the e-commerce sales process to some extent. The case that a product is incidentally sold through e-commerce without the direct involvement of the EU business to any extent is not the focus of this study. Furthermore, products exported through traditional channels are not the focus of this study.