Four months later, the AGA published the registry of Spanish establishments authorized to export the fruit, meaning sales can now begin.

The authorization concludes a complex negotiation process that spanned years, the Spanish agricultural institution emphasized.

The agreement included the obligation for Chinese customs authorities to conduct an audit prior to the start of exports. On June 9, 12, and 13, the AGA conducted a video audit of a selection of plots and warehouses registered for the cherry export campaign in China, to verify compliance with the phytosanitary protocol.

Finally, on Thursday, August 14, the AGA published the registry of authorized establishments and declared exports open.

Protocol and Extension for Spanish Cherries
The protocol establishes that the processing, packaging, storage, and transportation of cherries destined for export will be carried out under the supervision of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. The Ministry will also be responsible for ensuring that only cherries from registered orchards can enter the packaging warehouse for selection and processing. The protocol is valid for three years.

This authorization expands the portfolio of bilateral agreements for the export of plant products from Spain to China, including those for citrus fruits, peaches, plums, table grapes, persimmons, and almonds. The sale of forage oats, olive paste, and dehydrated alfalfa for animal feed is also authorized.

Since June 2018, countries have signed 11 protocols for the opening of Spanish agri-food products to the Chinese market. The documents for the export of dried figs and pistachios are currently under negotiation, and the technical information exchange is in various stages.

Spain exported agri-food products to the Asian country worth €1.864 billion in 2024, with a surplus of €253 million.

China is Spain’s ninth largest market in value and the third largest non-EU market after the United Kingdom and the United States.

Source: Portal Frutícola