From 21 to 26 April EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski visited China to facilitate European agricultural food and beverage exports to China and expand their presence on this market. He was accompanied by a business delegation of senior representatives from the EU agri-food sector. During his visit to China, Commissioner Wojciechowski attended events and meetings in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing.

EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski met with relevant Chinese ministers in agriculture, intellectual property and customs, to discuss a variety of issues, including improved market access and positive cooperation on geographical indications. On several instances the Commissioner has reminded Chinese officials of the “positive contribution of trade to EU agriculture and our overall net trade balance” pointing out that, despite the macroeconomic and geopolitical difficulties, there is still great potential for China and the European Union to boost their agri-food trade. Commissioner Wojciechowski proposed to reduce trade barriers and encouraged both sides to remain open to each other’s agricultural products even as other industries grow fractious. “Food products should be excluded from problems in other sectors. Open food trade is very important for food security at the global level”.

Leading a delegation of over 70 business representatives from the agri-food sector, the largest in his tenure, Commissioner Wojciechowski said that the size of the entourage “shows how important China is as our trade partner”. Representing a total business value of €350 billion, this business delegation attended Anuga food and beverage trade fair in Shenzhen, looking forward to expanding their presence in the Chinese market. China is the third-largest importer of food products from the EU in 2023, with exports at €14.6bn, compared to imports during the year of €8.3bn. The most popular agri-foods imported from the EU include infant food, cereals, pork and wine. EU agri-food exports to China have been experiencing a downward trend since 2020, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Commissioner Wojciechowski hopes that trade volume can return to 2020 levels.

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