Freshfel Europe has submitted a position paper concerning the state of play of fruit and vegetables trade between China and the EU to the European Commission.
Fresh produce trade between the EU and China is increasing every year. However, the European Commission is concerned that the overwhelming majority of trade consists of imports from China into the EU, while export volumes from the EU to China remain stagnant 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, Freshfel reports.
The report also suggest bilateral fresh produce trade between China and the EU continues to be marked by a lack of reciprocity.
In the last five years, EU imports into China have risen from 476,000 tonnes in 2003 to 750,000t in 2008, while EU exports remain at low levels, moving during the same period just from 7,900 to 15,000t.
To date, only a limited number of EU member states have secured plant health protocols, which are a pre-requisite to be able to export to China.
Philippe Binard, general delegate of Freshfel, said: ”These figures speak for themselves and indicate the ongoing lack of reciprocity on market access, despite the accession of China to the World Trade Organisation several years ago. This matter needs to be urgently addressed as there is a growing demand for EU produce on the Chinese market.
“China remains highly protectionist and delays in negotiating import permits are unacceptable. These costly practices sharply contrast with the EU import procedure, which does not limit the export opportunity of Chinese produce to the EU market.
“Freshfel continues to work with the commission services to address these hurdles and to find bilateral solutions at the earliest opportunity. The agenda should remain ambitious to gain market access for new products and increase the beneficiary member states, as well as revising some of the inconsistencies and restrictions of the existing requirements.”
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