“Did you know my friend recently brought a jar of Vegemite to China for his friends to taste?" said a friend recently.
He gave me a cheeky wink, "he joked that was to show people at home how bad his life in Australia was.”
"My mum likes the ‘national biscuit’ so much; every time I go back to China to visit I’ll bring a dozen packs," said another friend.
"She keeps some and gifts some to her friends and colleagues."
"What is the 'national biscuit?'" I asked.
“Tim Tam! You didn’t know?!"
So when it came time to prepare for my next visit home, I asked my friends about what to bring for people in China.
Other than the two food options above, many also told me their family's love of Australian handmade soap, hand cream, and paw paw ornament.
According to a of 1,000 Chinese online shoppers conducted by FedEx Express, 84 per cent of Chinese online shoppers are "'highly likely' to buy at least one Australian product in the next year."
Swapping notes with my many Chinese Australian friends, I found that many of the in-demand products were quite unusual and likely to surprise you.
Kangaroo: the worst-treated national animal?
“You know, my friends from home asked me to buy them kangaroo essence," said one friend. "Apparently it’s good for male sexual competence."
Kangaroo essence can be found in many Chinese online Australian product shops. Some sell it under the tagline of the ‘King of male sexuality.'
One ad has claimed kangaroo essence can ensure 30 minutes of erection Source: Taobao
One shop's product description stated that that "a male kangaroo mates with 40 female kangaroo during its lifetime producing twice as much semen as a bull."
There is a belief in China to eat what you want to improve. For example to improve brain activity, the Chinese eat walnuts because they resemble the brain.
Mr Liu, a long term trader based in Melbourne tells SBS Mandarin that it's not just Chinese customers - many Asian tourists come to his shop and ask for Kangaroo essence.
There are also articles on Chinese websites offering doubts on whether the medicinal effect of kangaroo essence is scientifically verified.
Sohu, a Chinese website published an article naming kangaroo the "the world's worst treated national animal," listing products like coin bags made of kangaroo testicle skin, bottle openers made with kangaroo paws, which are all being sold online in China.
Australian drugs to the rescue
Hemorrhoid problems? Small breasts? Bad air quality?
No matter the problem, the Chinese answer seems to be: keep calm and buy Australian-made.
A trend in recent years of selling bottled air from iconic Australian locations seems to have declined.
An Australian-based Chinese newspaper jokingly told its readers that "breathing is to save money in Australia."
The pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse has opened a flagship store in China’s biggest online retailer Tao bao. All products on the shelf in a typical Australian Chemist Warehouse store seem to be popular among Chinese buyers.
It has been participating in Alibaba’s famous 'Double 11' sales.
An Australian brand of pregnancy nutritional supplements not only launched a Chinese website but also set up Weibo and WeChat presence.
Chemist warehouse makes a presence in China's biggest online shop Source: Tmall
In addition to the popularity of health products, an Aussie 'breast enhancement' product is so popular that there are even discussion forums in Chinese devoted to it.
The pursuit of plump breasts has become ever more popular among Chinese girls in the recent years. However user reviews are mixed.
'Placenta cream' is also a must-buy for female friends and relatives, backed by the belief that it brings lasting youthful look.
Demand for ‘life style products’ by the growing middle class
“I think shares of cheese farms would be a good investment," said one Chinese netizen.
Australian Chinese people are bringing home Australian cheese and coffee beans.
The growing Chinese middle class and overseas student returnees have brought with them an appreciation of western life style to China.
Many of them are now wine-drinking, cheese-tasting, avocado-eating coffee drinkers. reports that 62 per cent of Chinese online shoppers like buying Australian-made "because the way of life is appealing".
Also as the concept of organic product grows, demand for organic nuts and even dishwashing liquid is also increasing.
Of course, souvenirs in the traditional sense are still popular. Many bring home Australian stamps and coin collections.
Indigenous handmade products are also a hugely popular gifts although there are problems with fake Indigenous art being sold throughout the Australian souvenir industry that do not benefit the Indigenous artists who designed it.
Throughout my personal experience of taking gifts back to China, the funniest time was when I bought a koala soft toy to my niece and found out that it was actually made in China.
