South African companies who took part in the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) said on Monday that they got business deals that have been satisfactory.

These companies expressed satisfaction with the exchanges they had with visitors who thronged the South African pavilion during the CIIE.

"We managed to sell quite a large number of jewellery accessories during the fair. The Chinese were really fascinated by our products," said Desmond Ratsoma, technical enterprise developer of the Kimberley Diamond and Jewellery Incubator.

The managing director of the Cape Town-based Breva Beverages Gladys Mawoneke said she discussed productive business deals with some Chinese importers.

"Most of them showed keen interest in importing our products. We are hopeful that by this time next year we will have sent some stock of our low and non-alcoholic beverage products to China. The contacts we made are so promising that we will be starting with the process of registration and labelling of our products soon," she said.

Kian MacRae, sales director of Limpopo-based PEPPADEW International, a food company, said many visitors tasted their products and were impressed, and wanted to buy the product on the spot.

MacRae said, "Virtually all of the people who tasted our products wanted to know where to find them in China. I am hoping to establish our presence in the near future as I have engaged with four Chinese potential importers and distributors who are genuinely interested in importing our products into China."

General manager of Prosperitas Fruits Stephan Kruger admits the enormity of the CIIE boggled his mind.

"This is a trade fair on another level. You cannot even compare the numbers of visitors with other international shows that I have attended. Many importers, exporters, distributors, buyers, e-commerce traders and many other people who were interested in exploring our new products visited my stand," he said.

"This will provide us with a golden opportunity to export huge volumes of our raisins to China in about three months." he said.