China authorises export of Spanish peaches and plums

This measure fulfils the agreement reached in November between the Secretary-General for Agriculture and Food Affairs, Carlos Cabanas, and the Deputy Minister of AQSIQ, Zhang Qirong, enabling exports to start this season.

A delegation of experts and representatives from AQSIQ visited Spain in June of this year to check compliance with the protocol. AQSIQ stated that the result from this visit was highly satisfactory, demonstrating the sound nature and seriousness of the Spanish phytosanitary control and certification system.

Furthermore, the foresight and preliminary organisation for the export season undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the regional governments and the sector itself have enabled exports to begin immediately - this season - following the official authorisation.

In this regard, AQSIQ has already published the authorised farms, warehouses and facilities on its website. In addition, the IT application of the Ministry of Agriculture for managing imports and exports (CEXVEG - Foreign Trade in Vegetables) has been in place since the start of this season with a view to supporting the immediate commencement of exports this season.

CEXVEG was one of the most important aspects for the visit by the Chinese authorities and in this process of opening up new markets; something that was particularly highlighted by the AQSIQ delegation itself as the key control and management factor generating confidence in the Spanish phytosanitary control and certification system.

Exports

The negotiations surrounding the authorisation to export peaches and plums have taken a considerable number of years to complete, during which time various technical difficulties arose. It should be noted that China is a highly demanding country in terms of phytosanitary issues, as demonstrated by the fact that Spain is the first country in the world to be authorised to export peaches into this market.

In fact, fruit only began to be exported to China in 2014 and only citrus fruits have been allowed until now, exports of which amounted to 1,150 tonnes in 2014. Following significant growth, this figure rose to 3,218 tonnes in 2015 and in the first quarter of 2016 alone 2,270 tonnes were exported.