Chinese markets open up to Italian citrus food products

Rome - The negotiations on the opening of Chinese markets to Italian citrus fruits have been completed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Soon, the products will be shipped in compliance with the start of the next trade campaign. This was announced by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies in a communique. It explained that "a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Minister of Agriculture of the Peoples' Republic of China, Han Changfu.

Italy was represented by the Italian Ambassador to China, Ettore Sequi". "The completion of these negotiations represent an important step forward in our citrus fruit farming, which can now enter a market with great potential like China. I am very pleased about the diplomatic work that has been carrried out in these past few months," said the Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, Maurizio Martina. "The MoU signed with Chinese authorities enhances strategic cooperation in the field of agriculture and becomes part of the broader relations between our two countries. Paving a new Silk Road will favour agrifood trade both in terms of produce and in terms of know-how. We will continue investing to support our companies in a market that offers interesting development opportunities. In the first two months of 2017, agrifood exports to China have risen by 12 percent, compared to the same period in 2016."

The major goals of the agreement include: promoting cooperation between the two countries in science, technology, economics and trade in both the agricultural sector and in rural development; and enhancing bilateral cooperation in agriculture. Agrifood export figures to China in 2016 amounted to 391 million euros. In the first two months of the current year, they have already reached 53 million euros.