22.01.2025 / Position Paper 2024-2025 of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China on the agricultural sector

The Position Paper of the Agriculture, Food and Beverage Working Group at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China is one of the organization’s most important publications. The 2024/2025 Position Paper focuses on the challenges faced by European companies operating with China. Attention should be paid to the large number of constructive recommendations to Chinese authorities for reforms to rebuild confidence in the Chinese market and make it a preferred destination for global investment.

According to the Position data, in 2023, European Union food exports to China declined by 8% in just one year. This drop can be primarily attributed to reduced imports of grain and pork products. Besides some global factors, such as rising prices, the Position Paper identifies several circumstances arising from Chinese policies and regulations.

The unclear requirements and the constant implementation of new national standards for imported foods are among the main concerns. These frequent changes are causing difficulties for overseas producers who do not have the necessary time to adapt the quality of their products to the new standards. Therefore, by the time imported products are cleared in China, they no longer meet the updated requirements. Traders often face the high risk that their goods will be unable to enter the Chinese market.

The Agriculture, Food and Beverage Working Group recommends that the sale of products with delayed import, produced before the adoption of a new national standard should be allowed. In the Position Paper, the Working Group is focusing on other challenging aspects of trade with China, including the lack of an effective partnership between Beijing and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as well as excessive restrictions on foreign investors.

The Working Group is recommending to the Chinese authorities optimized implementation of the National Health Plan in conjunction with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, it will facilitate the access and distribution of overseas healthy food products in China. It is emphasized that these products should be in line with Chinese eating habits and needs. These measures will boost the demand for overseas health foods and beverages in the Chinese market.

The full text of the Agriculture, Food and Beverage Working Group Position Paper 2024/2025, including the positions of several sub-working groups (dairy industry; food for special medical purposes; pediatric nutrition) is available on this link.

We would like to remind our partners that as of January 2024, the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries is officially a member of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China was founded in 2000 by 51 companies sharing the common goal of representing different business sectors, part of which are companies from the EU Member States operating in China. The Chamber is a non-profit organization managed by its members, with a core structure consisting of 26 working groups (including working groups in agriculture, food and beverages, cosmetics, investment, environment, scientific research, etc. ) and 9 forums (including for SMEs, institutional, communication, etc.), which stand to represent European businesses in China. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China was founded in 2000 by 51 companies sharing the common goal of representing different business sectors, part of which are companies from the EU Member States operating in China. The Chamber is a non-profit organization managed by its members, with a core structure consisting of 26 working groups (including working groups in agriculture, food and beverages, cosmetics, investment, environment, scientific research, etc. ) and 9 forums (including for SMEs, institutional, communication, etc.), which stand to represent European businesses in China.

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