A Belarusian ice cream brand has quickly gained popularity among local consumers following the trial run of its first China store in Shanghai's Baoshan district, marking a fast-tracked market entry built on connections made at the 8th China International Import Expo.

Located in Gongkang, Miaohang town, the store stands out with its signature grass-green façade and authentic dairy offerings sourced entirely from Belarusian farms.

Its star product, a milk ice cream made with 94 percent pure milk and only 4 grams of sugar per 100 grams, has quickly gained popularity among local consumers for its light texture and rich, natural flavor.

Behind the launch is the Kobrin Butter and Cheese Making Factory, a Belarusian dairy company founded in 1939 with more than 150 product lines and multiple international awards.

Initial contact was established during a visit to Belarus by a Baoshan district delegation in July 2025, followed by on-site inspections and the formal signing at the CIIE in Shanghai in November, marking Baoshan district's first foreign investment project from that year's import expo.

From contract signing to store opening, the process took only a few months. Local authorities in Miaohang town provided full-process support, including assisting with site selection, licensing, customs registration, and storefront approval, ensuring a smooth market entry.

Currently in trial operation, the store offers ice cream, milkshakes, and milk-based coffee, all made with Kobrin dairy ingredients. The official opening is scheduled for May 20.

Local authorities plan to help the brand expand through community retail channels, consumption festivals, and specialty markets, enabling high-quality Belarusian products to take root in the Chinese market.

Source: Shanghai Observer