After more than two decades, China wants to lift import restrictions on beef from Germany. The way for apple exports was also paved.
Berlin – The trip to China by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) brought concrete results for the German economy. Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir returns from the state visit with an export deal: After more than two decades, China plans to lift BSE import restrictions on beef from Germany. At the same time, a joint declaration on opening the Chinese market for German apples was signed.
Apples and beef: Özdemir brings with him an export deal from China
As stated in a press release from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Wednesday (April 17), China is planning to import German-produced beef again after more than twenty years. Federal Minister Özdemir and Minister Yu Jianhua from the Main Customs Administration of the People's Republic of China signed two joint declarations on the lifting of trade restrictions as a result of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and on the export of apples from Germany.
China deal by Cem Özemir: “Paved the way for beef and apples from Germany”
“Now the way is paved for beef and apples from Germany,” explains Özdemir about his China deal. “It is a great success that after more than 20 years we were finally able to remove the BSE trading restrictions.” Since the BSE crisis of the early 2000s, exporting beef to China has not been possible. A quantum leap has also been made in the export of German apples to China.
New ways in trade with China: German agricultural products on the rise
As the BMEL reports, an agreement has been concluded on phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh apples from Germany. Until now, such regulations were missing, which prevented the export of German apples to China. This agreement marks the first step towards market opening and ensures that phytosanitary risks are minimized.
After a visit by Chinese experts to German apple-growing regions later this year, German producers could plan their first apple exports to China.
China wants to open the market for German beef and apples – pork will have to wait
Cem Özdemir also campaigned for the export of German pork during his stay in China. Exports to China had been stopped since African swine fever (ASF) emerged in 2020. Export numbers fell drastically from 319,448 tons in 2020 to 739 tons in 2023. Germany has since taken extensive measures to combat ASF. However, no breakthrough could be achieved regarding the export of German pork from ASF-free areas, but negotiations would continue.