EU agri-food exports to China increased last year

The European Union (EU) agri-food exports to China, EU's second most important destination of agri-exports after the United States, in all major product groups increased in 2015, a latest EU report said on Monday.

According to the report, agri-food exports to China increased by 2.9 billion euros(3.28 billion U.S. dollars) in 2015. Exports in all major product groups increased with the most significant hike in commodities at 71 percent from 1 billion euros to 1.7 billion euros.

For example, the pork exports to China more than doubled (from 432 million euros to 934 million euros) in 2015 which demonstrates the importance of pig meat in EU exports to China.

By product category, EU agri-food exports to China in 2015 were led by infant food with a share of 13 percent, followed by raw hides and skins (11 percent) which switched places when compared to 2014 as infant food showed a quicker export growth.

Phil Hogan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, is this week on a visit to China and Japan accompanied by a business delegation of European agri-food executives.

Opening up new markets and promoting consumption of EU dairy products and pig meat is one of his priorities.

This report,issued by the European Commission, focuses on EU trade with China, which is the second most important destination and the fourth most important origin for EU agri-food imports.