Supply Of Products Research Articles

The potential of trade and economic cooperation between Brazil and the Samara region based on the integration of exports and imports

Purpose: is to reveal the potential for strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the Samara region and the Brazilian States by identifying the regional needs of the latter in non-energy goods.Methods:the article applies the statistical method of structural and dynamic analysis, calculates the index of complementarity, and adapts the Balassa index and the export potential.Results: the essence of the potential of trade and economic cooperation is revealed and the connection between the coupling of commodity flows with the non-energy potential of the region is shown. The authors identified the most active the Brazilian States and import-intensive groups of goods in trade with the Russian Federation. The Brazilian States with high potential for expanding supplies of non-energy products that can become centers of attraction in foreign trade for Russian regions were identified. Estimated values of export potential volumes, which expand the possibilities of trade and economic cooperation between the Samara region and the Brazilian States, are presented, and the conditions of export supplies are determined.Сonclusions and Relevance: the scale of coupling of commodity flows with trade partners is the basis for the formation and realization of export potential of countries and their regions. Despite the sanctions, Russian-Brazilian cooperation has reached the level of strategic partnership, almost all the Brazilian States import Russian products, many of them increase imports. It has been established that the main channels of supply of Russian products to the Brazilian market are concentrated in the port Brazil States, traditionally the most open for trade cooperation with the countries of the world. Despite the fact that the processes of product diversification in mutual trade are developing slowly, the strategic partnership allows building long-term plans for further trade cooperation by expanding trade of the Samara region with the Brazilian States with a high share of dependence on imports of non-energy goods, which the Russian region specializes in producing. The complementarity index confirmed the complementarity of commodity flows between the Samara Region and a number of the Brazilian States. In the conditions of reorientation of export flows, the opportunities of the Samara region lie in the expansion of trade in food products, chemical industry, electrical and mechanical engineering products.

Building a resilient organic hemp industry: Survey and focus groups assess research, extension, and education needs

AbstractHemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has many potential uses, including in textiles, construction, human food, animal feed, health, and personal care applications, and was once widely grown in the United States. Despite the tremendous initial excitement in hemp production and expansion of hemp acreage following its legalization in 2018, there remains uncertainty and risk surrounding the crop; major gaps in production and processing knowledge and supply and distribution chains exist because of previous legal barriers. In 2023, a national survey of current and prospective organic hemp growers (n = 140) was conducted to identify major challenges associated with organic hemp production and determine what resources and information are needed to support growth and resilience within the industry. A series of focus groups were also conducted with organic hemp growers, hemp educators, and industry stakeholders, including researchers and extensionists, current and prospective hemp business owners, hemp advocates and organizations, and hemp consultants (n = 39). Survey respondents and focus group participants included farmers across a wide range of farm types and sizes, geographic areas, production practices, and end‐use products. Most current hemp producers surveyed are growing hemp for cannabinoid products. Across the survey and focus groups, and regardless of farm type or end‐use product, the most significant challenges of organic hemp production are related to marketing, sales, and regulations. Despite these barriers, most survey respondents are interested in growing hemp in the future; this includes expanded interest in non‐cannabinoid end‐use products such as fiber, grain, seed, or transplants.

A Hybrid Distribution Network Model for Cost, Quality and Distribution Optimization in Perishable Goods Supply Chains

The entrenched role of syndicates and intermediaries in the perishable goods sector inflates prices through artificial scarcity and hoarding, creating significant affordability challenges. Addressing these issues is critical amid rising global demand for fresh produce, which is highly vulnerable to quality degradation due to Supply Chain (SC) inefficiencies and inadequate cold storage practices. Consequently, formulating an SC Distribution Network (SCDN) becomes imperative to optimize distribution planning, mitigate quality deterioration, and ensure the sustainability of the SC. This research proposes an advanced SCDN architecture by developing a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model tailored for multi-echelon scenarios. The model aims to minimize overall SC costs, reduce cold storage expenses, and preserve the freshness of perishable goods through an efficient and hybrid distribution channel. The proposed model integrates competing objectives by addressing a multi-criteria problem via the weighted sum method (WSM) and is executed using the GUROBI optimizer in Python. Two case studies centred on the distribution of Mango and Jack fruits in Bangladesh validate the model's practicality. The findings highlight the strategic importance of optimal distribution center placement and a dual supply strategy, with plants meeting 63% of mango and 53% of jackfruit demand, reducing reliance on intermediaries by advocating direct shipping to markets while bypassing cold storage. This study further highlights the model's robustness and offers critical managerial insights, facilitating informed decision-making in the complex landscape of perishable product supply chains.

Dynamic Trends in Aquatic Product Supply and Consumption in China: Implications for Sustainable Diets and Environmental Impact Reduction

Aquatic foods play a pivotal role in transforming food systems. As the world’s leading producer, consumer, and trader of aquatic products, China’s potential for sustainable supply and consumption is critical to understand. The aim of this study was to depict the dynamic trends of aquatic products and the consequences of sustainable diets and environmental impacts. A panel dataset about Chinese aquatic products covering the period from 1952 to 2023 was drawn for analysis. Diet sustainability was assessed with the deviation from the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022) and EAT-Lancet recommendations. The environmental impacts of aquatic products’ supply and consumption were assessed using carbon footprints and water footprints. The findings reveal that aquatic products’ supply increased from 4.65 million tons to 71.16 million tons from 1978 to 2023, and annual aquatic food consumption per capita increased from 3.50 kg in 1978 to 15.20 kg. While overall supply meets consumption needs, structural imbalances persist at the provincial level. Over time, the influence of marine fishery products has declined from 1.06 million tons (63.63%) in 1952 to 35.85 million tons (50.38%) in 2023, whereas offshore aquaculture shows promising potential for meeting future supply demands (23.96 million tons in 2023, accounting for 66.82% of marine fishery production). To align with healthy dietary goals and environmentally sustainable food systems, provincial aquatic food demand across China was adjusted. The carbon footprints and water footprints of both current and adjusted consumption patterns were also assessed. The results indicate that adjusting consumption based on the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022) and EAT-Lancet recommendations could reduce environmental impacts to different degrees. The findings could offer valuable references and insights into developing sustainable strategies in aquatic product management and advancing food system transformation.

Seafood supply mapping reveals production and consumption mismatches and large dietary nutrient losses through exports in the United Kingdom

AbstractSeafood can contribute towards healthy and sustainable food systems by improving public health and helping achieve net zero carbon emissions. Here, we provide a high-resolution perspective on UK seafood supplies and nutrient flows at the species level. We mapped seafood production (capture and aquaculture), trade (imports and exports), purchases (within and out of home) and seafood consumption between 2009 and 2020. UK dietary recommendations for finfish consumption were not achieved by domestic production nor national supplies. Mapping dietary nutrient flows revealed that the UK undergoes substantial losses of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, which could contribute 73%, 46% and 7% towards UK-recommended nutrient intakes, respectively, through exports of oily fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel. Policies should consider promoting greater consumption of locally produced oily fish species to improve public health and seafood system resilience.

A framework to explore the services value provided by snow cover : a case study for Heilongjiang Province, China.

Ecosystem services and their accounting frameworks have been extensively studied. Snow, as a special climatic product, can provides essential resources and services for human well-being and socioeconomic development which is often ignored. However, the services and value it provides have not been effectively evaluated. To address this crucial omission, we develop a snow service value (SSV) accounting framework that summarizes the value of snow services in a single monetary metric. We illustrate the measurement of SSV by applying it to the Chinese province of Heilongjiang, demonstrating that the approach is feasible with the data at hand. On the basis of MODIS, statistical data, and meteorological station data, the value of 10 services, such as product supply (PS), regulating and supporting services (RSS), and cultural service (CS), was determined. In 2019, the SSV value of Heilongjiang province was 554.2 billion yuan, with Greater Khingan Mountains, Harbin, and Heihe city accounting for more than 60 billion yuan. Snow has a significant impact on climate regulation and runoff regulation, constituting almost 60% of SSV. Through the survey questionnaire, we discovered that Heilongjiang residents are more concerned about the impact of snow on agriculture. Using the results of accounting and a questionnaire survey, our study focuses on highlighting the importance and policy significance of snow service evaluation, which is conducive to enhancing the public's attention to snow resource management in the face of a reduction in snow cover due to climate change and investigating how to transform snow service into economic value.

Synergistic effects of heterogeneous mature compost and aeration rate on humification and nitrogen fixing during kitchen waste composting.

Sludge mature compost (SMC) is notable for its high production, easy accessibility, and stable supply. This study investigated the impact of the SMC addition and different aeration rates on the humification and nitrogen fixing process during kitchen waste composting. The results demonstrated that addition of SMC prolonged the thermophilic phase, as a comparison, increased aeration shortened this phase. The addition of SMC and increased aeration enhanced humus formation and nitrogen retention. SMC introduced more amide and polysaccharide compounds into the compost, promoting the Maillard humification pathway. Additionally, both SMC and high aeration inhibited denitrification: the SMC reduced the abundance of the nirK gene, while high aeration decreased the abundance of nosZ gene. Network analysis revealed that higher aeration enhanced fungal interactions but diminished bacterial interactions. Conversely, SMC addition bolstered both bacterial and fungal interactions. The final compost product with SMC addition showed a 11.56%-44.19% reduction in antibiotic resistance gene content compared with the control group, and heavy metal contents remained within safe application limits. The combination of high SMC addition and high aeration achieved optimal humification and nitrogen retention, underscoring its potential as a promising solution for kitchen waste composting.

Research on Agricultural Products Supply Chain Problems and Countermeasures under the Background of Rural Revitalization—Taking Liupanshui Roxburgh Rose as an Example

Research on Agricultural Products Supply Chain Problems and Countermeasures under the Background of Rural Revitalization—Taking Liupanshui Roxburgh Rose as an Example

Knowledge graph construction for cross enterprise product supply relationship of intelligent instruments

Knowledge graph construction for cross enterprise product supply relationship of intelligent instruments

The role of 4IR technologies and organizational culture in enhancing manufacturing supply chain performance

This study seeks to create a model for the management of the steel production supply chain in South Africa amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), tackling persistent interruptions and delays within the supply chain despite current models. A mixed methodology was utilised in the model's development. The qualitative component entailed a Delphi research corroborated by literature to ascertain pertinent hypotheses, whereas the quantitative component validated the model through structural equation modelling (SEM) utilising SmartPLS software. The research delineated a seven-construct framework comprising cooperation, integration, communication, supply chain structure, Fourth Industrial Revolution technology, organisational culture, and trust. The amalgamation of these designs proved enough for improving the efficacy of the steel production supply chain. The research revealed that the use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and the cultivation of a conducive organisational culture are essential for effective supply chain management in the steel manufacturing industry. The research presents a detailed model that facilitates the planning and organisation of steel industry supply networks in South Africa. This approach underscores the necessity of a cooperative organisational culture, client contentment, and the incorporation of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Steel industry stakeholders are urged to implement adaptable supply chain frameworks (lean, agile, leagile) based on project goals. This study enhances theoretical frameworks by highlighting essential features that have not been previously incorporated into supply chain management models for the steel sector, including the integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution technology and organisational culture. It provides actionable insights for stakeholders in steel manufacture, enhancing supply chain performance via the proposed paradigm. The research methodology improves comprehension of supply chain management within the framework of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Period Poverty among Females in Reproductive Age Group of Lucknow: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Period poverty or inadequate access of menstrual hygiene and education can be debilitating to women of reproductive age. The objective of present study was to have an insight into period poverty as well as determine association between last-year period poverty, menstrual knowledge and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) with socio-demographic variables. Methods: This analytical study was cross-sectional in design included females of reproductive age (20-49 years). Study was carried at a primary health centre in urban Lucknow.Data was collected onapre-validated semi-structured questionnaire. The data was collected and entered in M.S Excel. Chi‑square was applied for analysis. Results: Prevalence of last year period poverty, poor menstrual knowledge and poor menstrual hygiene management was 29.7%, 17.7% and 42.3%, respectively. Significant association exists between period poverty and socio-demographic variables. Conclusion: Period poverty continues to be a challenging issue among females of reproductive age group. Increasing awareness about menstrual hygiene and MHM practices, and taking action to ensure adequate supply of period product is need of the hour.

Superior bioavailability of EPA and DHA from a L-lysine salt formulation: a randomized, three-way crossover study.

Omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with notable health benefits. Due to limited physiological production and insufficient dietary supply, external supplementation is important. This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of EPA and DHA in AvailOm® omega-3-lysine salt (Lys-FFA) versus standard ethyl ester (EE) and triglyceride (TG) formulations after a single oral dose in healthy subjects. A randomized, three-way crossover study was conducted with 21 healthy subjects. Twenty-one subjects (10 men, 11 women) completed the study. The average age was 41.7 years, and the mean body mass index was 23.0 kg/m2. The Lys-FFA formulation showed significantly higher uptake of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA combined and each individually) compared to EE. Specifically, Lys-FFA had a 9.33-fold (0-12 h) and 8.09-fold (0-24 h) higher bioavailability of EPA+DHA than EE and a 1.57-fold (0-12 h) and 1.44-fold (0-24 h) higher bioavailability than TG. ΔCmax and Tmax also favored Lys-FFA over EE. Under fasting conditions, the absorption of EPA and DHA from EE is limited due to the need for enzymatic cleavage before absorption. This requirement is bypassed with Lys-FFA, which does not need cleavage. The study demonstrates that EPA and DHA lysine salt (Lys-FFA) offers superior bioavailability compared to EE and triglyceride forms, presenting a more effective supplementation option.German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS-ID: DRKS00029183.

How Digital Creativity Promotes Sustainable Development of Rural Economy

A "digital creativity + product" model based on rural culture activates cultural elements with digital creativity, enriches the supply of rural cultural products, and thus promotes the sustainable development of rural economy. Deqing county government combined with the local actual situation, applying digital technology to promote the integration of rural culture, realising the reproduction of digital rural space; at the same time, emphasizing on the creative development, creating a cultural and creative platform economy, thus enhancing the rural cohesion and value self-confidence, and ultimately driving the sustainable development of rural economy.

Осмысление проблемных вопросов проводимой на глобальном уровне реформы международного налогообложения цифровых компаний

The author's interest in the topic of the article is caused by the fact that in the context of a new geopolitical reality, the process of transformation of the international tax order and, within its framework, the rules for taxation of profits of foreign digital companies is accelerating. In the article, the author analyzes and comprehends the problematic issues of the reform of international taxation carried out by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) at the global level. The author gives an assessment of the International Approach to taxation of profits of digital companies developed by the OECD and implemented by it. The article also analyzes the author of a new approach proposed by the OECD to the distribution of global profits received by digital companies from the supply of digital products in the market of foreign jurisdictions for users of these products. In addition, the author identifies the legal grounds and expediency of introducing a tax on digital services by some states. In order to achieve the goal of sustainable economic development of states, an effective solution to the problem of international taxation of profits of digital companies is becoming increasingly important. The global community of states and their tax administrations face a strategic task: to achieve a situation in which the international tax system will reflect all trends in the development of the digital economy. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to achieve coherence between the actions of States at the regional and global levels. Due to the significant increase in the volume of activities of foreign digital companies, the digital business has increased the need to develop and implement a unified international approach to taxation of income of digital companies and primarily Multinational companies (TNCs) received from the supply or digital services (products) to the markets of foreign jurisdictions. In the context of the active development of the digital economy, scientists and practitioners faced a question that requires a clear answer – on what grounds and to what extent the procedure for taxation of corporate income within the digital economy differs from the procedure for taxation of corporate income in the traditional economy. With the expansion of the scale of digital business projects, the number of the largest digital companies (the so-called giants) is growing, new digital facilities are being allocated, the number and geography of users' consumption of digital products is increasing, and the number of user contracts they conclude using digital company data is growing.

China’s position and competitiveness in the global antibiotic value chain: implications for global health

BackgroundAntibiotics are a key commodity for global health, and inadequate access is a major contributor to global mortality. COVID-19 has refocused attention on global pharmaceutical value chains and the need for sustainable and secure production and supply of key products, including antibiotics. Production of antibiotics and their active pharmaceutical ingredients is capital- and technology-intensive, however, and value chains are dominated by a limited number of countries. China is known to be one of the largest producers, but its position in global value chains has not previously been analyzed. This is important for discussions about equitable and resilient global supplies, including through global instruments such as the pandemic treaty.MethodsThis study utilizes data from the International Trade Center database to analyze global and Chinese export trade patterns in the antibiotic industry from 2002 to 2021, along with trends in comparative advantage. The antibiotic trade data included in this study covers different antibiotic products, including some tuberculosis drugs, while other types of antimicrobial drugs (such as antivirals, antiparasitics) are excluded.ResultsThe export share of antibiotic ingredients from China increased from 9.0% in 2002 to 44.5% in 2021. China is the largest exporter of antibiotic ingredients (with a strong comparative advantage). Additionally, the export share of antibiotic medicines increased from 0.5% in 2002 to 6.5% in 2021, making it the 7th largest exporter of antibiotic medicines (though with a comparative disadvantage). The proportion of antibiotic medicines in China’s exports is gradually increasing, though the country’s antibiotic industry is expected to remain in the upstream-to-midstream segments of the global supply chain in the short term. China’s export market for antibiotic medicines is fragmented, focusing on developing countries, though European (17.9% in 2021) and North American markets (13.1% in 2021) are increasing in importance. China’s weight in global antibiotic exports, particularly of antibiotic ingredients, creates dependencies for countries reliant on China, and for Chinese companies reliant on certain overseas markets.ConclusionsChina is central to global antibiotic manufacturing. Policies promoting the reshaping of global supply chains and reshoring of critical medicines will likely create challenges for Chinese exporters, though are unlikely to alter the global supply structure in the short term. This has implications for Chinese policymakers, including strengthening innovation, quality, international competitiveness, and diversifying markets. Equally, China’s huge manufacturing capability, cost advantages, and rapid scientific and technological progress, make the country an inevitable and important part of future arrangements to ensure equitable global antibiotic access. As the Chinese government considers its global health policy in the post-COVID-19 era, antibiotics may provide an area where China can play a distinctive role.

Import dependence of the European organic market and the role of Ukrainian exports

rates of organic retail trade (actual demand for organic products) and the growth rates of organic agricultural land areas (potential supply of organic products). This makes the European Union (EU) dependent on global imports. This research focuses on the import of organic products from Ukraine. To understand the underlying factors of the EU-27 countries’ import dependence on Ukrainian exports, this article proposes the following: 1) an analysis of Ukraine’s contribution to the total import volume to EU-27 countries by categories of organic products that have the most significant share in overall imports from Ukraine (these categories include: cereals, other than wheat and rice; soybeans; wheat; oilseeds, other than soybeans); 2) a study of the general trends of the European organic market’s import dependence on imports from Ukraine by the categories with the highest contribution; 3) clustering of the EU-27 countries based on organic market indicators; 4) an analysis of the European organic market using Ukrainian imports as an example. Ukrainian imports do not threaten the domestic European market; instead, countries with the highest level of dependence can use Ukrainian organic raw materials for processing and further re-export.

Application of integrated full-membrane platform in antibody purification

AbstractAntibody products are promising therapeutic candidates for various diseases, such as cancers and autoimmune disorders. Owing to the improvement of cell culture technology in recent years, the production titers of antibodies can reach up to 10 g/L. With such high titers in upstream production, advancements in the development of downstream separation and purification techniques are highly desired. To ensure a balance between handling the increased product supply and maintaining the high purity required for biopharmaceutical applications, membrane chromatography is an efficient and cost-effective technique that can be used to separate and purify proteins and other biological components. In this study, we developed a full-membrane platform that uses affinity membrane chromatography to capture antibodies, which is followed by a two-step flow-through polishing process involving anion exchange membrane chromatography and hydrophobic interaction membrane chromatography. We tested five molecules using this platform, and the outcomes of membrane chromatography were comparable to those of column chromatography in terms of yield and product quality. Moreover, full-membrane chromatography might lead to a cost reduction of > 70% in chromatography media. Altogether, the full-membrane platform developed in this has potential applications in downstream processes of antibody production.

Smart Agriculture Blockchain Applications

Smart Agriculture is a combination of AI, Cloud Computing, and IoT that revolutionizes farming efficiency and sustainability. It successfully addresses the developing worldwide request for food production through expanding crops, optimizing inventory management, minimizing food waste, and improving safe consuming of food. Precision agriculture, facility agriculture, and order agriculture form the core components of smart agriculture. Each one of them concentrates on specific areas of farming processes, altogether contributing to enhancing farm productivity and efficiency. However, the integration of blockchain technology further adds an intrinsic value to smart agriculture by delivering food traceability, increasing efficiency to supply chains, ensuring food sustainability, and eliminating the need for intermediaries. With the various merits that blockchain technology provides, the reliable controlling of land and farm and monitoring of livestock assets can be provided, and tracking the entire product lifecycle is ensured, which not only enables producing more food, but also provides sustainability and rises food safety standards. By minimizing fraudulent activities, facilitating data management, enhancing farm and stock management, blockchain technology can be used as a success factor in the agricultural industry. This paper thoroughly explores the numerous applications of blockchain technology in smart agriculture, including product supply chain and storage management, farm, and stock control. It also highlights the potential future applications and directions for the integration of those technologies into the field of agriculture to realize their full potential.

The ‘enabling environment’ for vegetable-rich diets in Benin: An analysis of policies, stakeholders and framings

One of the solutions to overcome malnutrition is to set up some policies to encourage vegetable consumption. Indeed, vegetables are important for human nutrition and health. They are rich in bioactive nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, phytochemical compounds, and dietary fiber. But in Benin, vegetable consumption is very low and their production is also facing many challenges. Understanding the food environment seems to be a key step to address relevant policies to improve healthy vegetable production and consumption. This study aims to understand the food policy environment in general, and in particular the policies, stakeholders, and their perceptions of the challenges and policy priorities for the production and consumption of vegetables in Benin. For this, through a qualitative approach, a documentation review of the existing policies were done. In addition, stakeholders' NetMap workshop which gathered 15 participants and 22 stakeholders’ interviews were carried out. The interview data were processed and analyzed through a content-based analysis approach with Quirkos software. The results showed that many policies have been designed and implemented to improve food systems in Benin. These policies are mostly oriented toward agricultural product supply in terms of quantity (availability) and on improving social protection, equity, and livelihood, but with little attention paid to quality. The results of the interviews revealed many issues such as the high post-harvest losses, the high use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the weak access to improved seeds. In addition, the lack of food marketing and promotion, the lack of local vegetables promotion and the weak adaption strategies to address climate change effects have also been pointed out as issues. All these issues are seen by the stakeholders as priority points of attention that current and future policies should address to enable the environment for vegetable-rich diets in the country. Key words: Food, agriculture, nutrition, vegetable, diets, policy, stakeholders, framings, Benin

Intensification of Trade Interactions between the Regions of China and Russia

The article identifies the Chinese provinces that are the points of growth of the Russian imports. Their main supply channels to the Chinese market are concentrated in the eastern coastal regions of China, being traditionally more developed. Russian imports are growing faster through the Chinese pilot free trade zones. However, geographical and product diversification is still slow. The supply structure of Russian products is still dominated by raw materials, while imports of high value added products are growing rapidly in some regions of China. The rapid growth of Russian imports is observed in some regions of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which creates additional opportunities for the intensification of trade interactions with the Russian regions within the project «Volga-Yangtze». The connection of the export sectors of the economy of the Volga Federal District with the import of China is considered in more detail in the article as a potential for further intensification of trade interactions. The regions with a high level of economic diversification (the Nizhny Novgorod and the Samara regions) have the greatest opportunities for developing trade interactions. Current conditions indicate that prospects for the further intensification of Russian exports to China are determined by the expansion of production (in the regions with a high share of exports to China and other friendly countries), development of transport and logistics system, adaptation of Russian products to the needs of the Chinese consumer. One way to increase exports of Rus-sian high-value-added products is to reduce barriers to the supply of such products in China’s free-trade zones. In a limited international market, Russian regions may have to compete more for Chinese consumers as the domestic market becomes saturated.