June 12, 2012

China seeks to expand Latvian-Chinese agricultural trade

China is seeking to enhance Latvian-Chinese agricultural trade, especially in regard to Latvia-grown bilberries, fruits, beverages, fish, beef, poultry, eggs and milk products, stated Chinese Agriculture Vice Minister Niu Dun.

"We are beginning to work on various procedures to effectively organise bilateral agricultural exports and imports, since China's population is very large and the country cannot satisfy its domestic demand for several agricultural products, therefore it is necessary to import them," emphasised Niu Dun.

Straujuma in turn said that the value of Latvian agricultural exports to China amounts to EUR6.62 million (US$8.26 million) per year, with bilberries constituting 97%, while agricultural import from China reaches EUR8.78 million (US$10.96 million) per year, consisting of mostly canned vegetables and fruits, fish, fruits and nuts.