2014 Beijing Trade Fair Showcased Yunnan Coffee and Lao Specialty Beans

When you walk into a major international trade expo, you’re not just looking for products—you want to see what industries are pushing forward. In 2014, at Beijing’s massive service trade event, two lesser-known yet significant beverage products took the stage: Yunnan-sourced coffee and original beans grown in Laos. But how did these make it to the spotlight, and what do they tell us about China’s emerging role in global specialty coffee?

The 2014 Beijing International Service Trade Fair featured Yunnan-grown coffee and Lao-origin beans through China’s B2B e-commerce platforms, showcasing over 20 local agricultural product categories including coffee, mango juice, and more.

What Happened at the 2014 Beijing Trade Fair?

Held on May 28, 2014, the third annual China (Beijing) International Service Trade Fair—known as —opened at the National Convention Center in Beijing. Co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Beijing Municipal Government, it’s the world’s largest dedicated service trade expo. That year, the event attracted 2524 exhibitors and 26,700 delegates from 117 countries. Among the many booths, China’s domestic B2B platform, (China’s Online Commodity Library), made its third appearance with a special section called “” (Hundred Cities, Thousand Products), highlighting regional specialties.

What Yunnan and Lao Products Were Showcased?

Within the China Online Commodity Library’s exhibition area, two standout products grabbed attention: “” (Lao Coffee) and “” (Yudan Juice). Lao Coffee came from the Phongsali highlands in northern Laos, imported and roasted by China’s (Changshengda Investment Co., Ltd.), a partner of the China Coffee Trading Network. Yudan Juice was produced by (Yunnan Kangwei Biotechnology Co., Ltd.), based in Lincang’s Yongde—known as China’s “” (hometown of mangoes).

What Is Lao Coffee and How Is It Marketed?

Lao Coffee, presented as “,” was available in several roast profiles and formats including drip bags. The varieties included (Pineapple Fen Plateau Coffee), (Phongsali Highland Coffee), (Luang Prabang Flavor), (Costa Rica Flavor), and (Cappuccino Flavor). Changshengda had signed an 180,000-mu (approximately 12,000 hectares) coffee cultivation agreement in Phongsali, Laos, in 2013 as part of China’s “go global” strategy. This project aimed to establish a premium coffee brand rooted in Yunnan’s coffee culture and promote it through cross-border e-commerce.

What About the Yunnan-Made Mango Juice?

Yudan Juice, developed by Yunnan Kangwei Biotechnology, is part of the company’s functional beverage line. Kangwei, headquartered in Yongde—known for its diverse microclimates—produces juices, traditional Chinese medicine, health supplements, and forestry products. The company joined the (China Mango Trading Network) in late 2013 to help promote both Lincang’s mango-growing region and its Yudan juice series nationally via e-commerce.

What Is the China Coffee Trading Network?

The China Coffee Trading Network is an online platform under China’s Online Commodity Library that focuses specifically on coffee trading. Alongside the China Mango Trading Network, it was part of the “” (Category Network) model being promoted at the trade fair. By 2014, the Yunnan E-Commerce Valley had launched 20 such category-specific sites, including ones for coffee, Pu’er tea, fresh-cut flowers, spirulina, matsutake mushrooms, and essential oils.

Why Was the 2014 Fair Significant for Coffee?

This was one of the first major national platforms where Yunnan-grown and Lao-sourced coffee products were officially displayed to both domestic and international buyers through structured B2B channels. The presence of these products highlighted early efforts to develop China’s own specialty coffee identity and export capabilities, particularly through digital commerce infrastructure.

How Did Visitors Interact With These Products?

Attendees could scan QR codes at the booth to access the e-commerce platforms. In return, they received free samples: brewed Lao Coffee made from roasted beans sourced directly from Laos, and Yunnan-made Yudan juices. The combination of product sampling, live demonstrations, and platform tutorials helped visitors understand how the “” system worked and strengthened direct engagement between businesses and consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the China (Beijing) International Service Trade Fair?

The China (Beijing) International Service Trade Fair, or , is the world's largest service trade expo, first held in 2012. It includes exhibitions, forums, and business matchmaking across 12 sectors, attracting companies and delegates from over 100 countries. The 2014 edition featured 2,524 exhibitors and 26,700 participants.

What is Lao Coffee and where does it come from?

Lao Coffee, or , refers to coffee beans grown in Laos, specifically in the Phongsali highlands. It was imported and roasted by Changshengda Investment Co., Ltd., and presented at the 2014 in multiple flavors and formats including drip bags.

What is Yudan Juice and who produces it?

Yudan Juice is a line of fruit juices developed by Yunnan Kangwei Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Based in Yongde, Yunnan, known for its mango production, the company created the juice using local fruit and functional ingredients. It was promoted through the China Mango Trading Network at the trade fair.

What is the China Coffee Trading Network?

The China Coffee Trading Network is a B2B e-commerce platform under China’s Online Commodity Library. It specializes in connecting coffee buyers and sellers and was part of the “” model promoting specialized agricultural product trading online.

How were Yunnan and Lao products promoted at the 2014 trade fair?

These products were showcased through interactive booths where attendees could scan QR codes to access e-commerce services. Free samples of brewed Lao Coffee and Yudan Juice were offered, alongside live demos explaining how to use the online trading platforms.

What is Yunnan E-Commerce Valley and what does it do?

Yunnan E-Commerce Valley is an initiative that builds digital commerce infrastructure for Yunnan’s specialty products. By 2014, it had launched 20 category-specific e-commerce websites, including ones for coffee, Pu’er tea, and other local exports, to enhance the region’s online trade capabilities.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Yunnan Origins

For anyone curious about the origins of Yunnan coffee after events like the 2014 Beijing Trade Fair, FrontStreet Coffee offers several great starting points. Their Yunnan Arabica is a washed, medium-roast bean from Baoshan that highlights soft nut and chocolate tones with a touch of plum acidity—ideal for learning what makes Yunnan’s terroir unique. For deeper insight, try the 2013 Typica, a sun-dried lot with balanced acidity, deep berry notes, and a sweet caramel finish. Both beans retail at accessible price points, making them perfect entry points into Yunnan’s coffee story. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.