Along with the record increase (+17%) of Made in Italy agri-food exports to China in 2017, another good news for Italian food & beverage has arrived. The Chinese government has decided to remove the ban on Italian beef after 16 years, guaranteeing new opportunities for Italian meat companies. This is what Coldiretti underlined commenting the announcement made by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and the Administration for Quality Control, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ)following the work of the Italy-China Government Committee chaired by the respective Foreign Affairs Ministers. The green light concerns the boneless meat of cattle under 30 months of age. Good news for Italian stalls given that they produce healthier, hormone-free meat obtained in compliance with strict production regulations which ensure the well-being and quality of animal nutrition.
Good news for foreign trade
The announcement from Beijing is just the latest in a series of positive signs. A few weeks ago, import duties on some important Made in Italy food products have been reduced. These include Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano and other aged cheeses (from 15%-12% to 8%); grated and processed cheese, and wine spirits (from 10% to 5%); vermouth (from 65% to 14%); pasta, sausages, and salami (from 15% to 8%). Last October, China had also decided to remove the blockade on imports of Gorgonzola, Taleggio and other blue cheeses which had been established at the end of August due to a sudden tightening in the application of import laws from European Union. Last May there was eventually the decision to open the Chinese market to Italian lemons, oranges, and tangerines.
