EU fresh produce trade with China characterised by imbalance

On the occasion of the visit of the EU Trade Commissioner to China, Freshfel Europe submitted to the European Commission a position paper concerning the state of play of fruit and vegetables trade with this country.

 

 

Fresh produce trade between the EU and China is increasing every year, however the overwhelming majority consists of imports from China into the EU, whilst export volumes from the EU to China remain stagnating and insignificant.

 

 

Difficult and lengthy negotiations over plant health protocols can be expensive and often ultimately prove unworkable for EU exporters due to overly strict plant health requirements.

 

Bilateral fresh produce trade between China and the EU continues to be marked by a lack of reciprocity. This was one of the key remarks submitted by Freshfel to DG Trade prior to the visit of Commissioner Catherine Ashton to Beijing.

 

 

In the last 5 years, EU imports into China have risen from 476.000 tons in 2003 to 750.000 tons in 2008 while EU exports remain at low levels, moving during the same period just from 7.900 to 15.000 tons.

 

 

Philippe Binard, General Delegate of Freshfel, stated: ”These figures speak for themselves and indicate the on-going lack of reciprocity on market access despite the accession of China to the WTO several years ago. This matter needs to be urgently addressed as there is a growing demand for EU produce on the Chinese market.”