According to the Hellenic Republic’s Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the signing of an official document is expected to pave the way for final authorization to export Greek cherries, creating new commercial opportunities for producers and exporters in the European nation.
More than a decade of negotiations
Greece submitted its request for access to the Chinese market in 2015. Since then, several rounds of technical negotiations have taken place between the Directorate of Phytosanitary Protection of the Greek Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Official reports indicate that the final stage of the process was solidified during a diplomatic visit to China by the Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Haris Theocharis, who held discussions with representatives from China’s phytosanitary authorities.
The agreement establishes strict phytosanitary requirements to ensure the quality of the fresh cherries. These measures include year-round systematic inspections of orchards and specific actions to control diseases that pose a risk to plant health, in accordance with the requirements set by Chinese authorities.
These conditions will be formalized in a phytosanitary protocol to be signed by both countries.
Next steps for exporting to China
Once the protocol is signed, interested Greek exporters will be able to register in a special system and apply for the necessary approval from the Chinese authorities.
This procedure is a prerequisite for obtaining the authorization required to begin the first shipments of Greek cherries to the Chinese market.
Source: Portal Frutícola
