According to newly released announcement by China’s Customs authority, starting from Feb. 1, 2022, imports of frozen fruits from Central and Eastern European countries that meet the requirements of inspection and quarantine will be allowed.
Until now, only five types of frozen fruits including frozen cranberries and strawberries from six Central and Eastern European countries, e.g. Poland and Latvia have been approved for export to China. The frozen fruits that have been approved for export to China this time refer to those that have undergone quick freezing treatment at -18°C or below for no less than 30 minutes after removing the inedible peel and core, and are stored and transported at -18°C or below, and comply with “International Food Standards” “Quick Frozen Food Processing and Handling Code of Practice”, the scope of access is expanded to Central and Eastern European countries.
In 2019, the export value of frozen fruits from Central and Eastern European countries was US$1.194 billion, of which US$28 million was exported to China, accounting for 2.34% of their global exports and 8.02% of China’s total global imports of such products. Frozen fruits have always been the specialty agricultural products of Central and Eastern European countries. After the relevant products of Central and Eastern European countries are approved for export to China next year, their trade development potential is huge.