A small but significant step that allows some of our producers to extend the range of exportable salumi. Reminding that hams cured for at least 313 days had the green light in 2008, in 2013, China’s export of raw hams created a turnover of approximately 700 thousands euros by sending approximately 59,7 tons of Italian salumi (data source: Assica – Industrial Association of Meat and Italian salumi, member of Confindustria). The note of the Italian Ministry of Health issued on 27th March, concluded the long process of negotiations for the Chinese market opening to cooked Italian salumi that began in 2004, between Italy and Beijing Governments; the agreement enables a first group of Italian companies to export their cooked deli meats obtained from pigs born, reared and slaughtered in Italy. The green light is so limited to establishments visited eight years ago by the Chinese Health Authorities and approved now by the Veterinary Services in Beijing. “This is a significant opening, although unfortunately still limited, for our companies. I thank the Italian Ministry of Health, and in particular the Department of Veterinary Public Health, Nutrition and Food Safety, for its constant commitment to the specific negotiations with Chinese Health Authorities“, said Lisa Ferrarini, president of Assica.