China has announced it will allow the importation of fresh blueberries grown in the US as part of an agreement expected to help the country meet its commitments outlined in phase one of the US-China trade deal signed in January.
Under the agreement, China is required to purchase an additional US$200bn of US farm products over the next two years, with US$50bn of that to be spent on agricultural products.
The announcement, posted on the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) website, indicated fruit grown in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington would gain import access.
However, it is stipulated the orchards and packaging plants must first be approved by both the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and GACC.
Further to this, blueberry orchards and packaging plants that intend to export fresh blueberries to China must have a traceability system in place in order to accurately trace the source of non-compliance in export products.
