China has officially opened its market for the import of Ukrainian peas following an audit of production and laboratory capacities of Ukrainian enterprises. This decision creates new opportunities for domestic farmers and expands Ukraine’s export presence in one of the world’s largest food markets, ProAgro Group reports.

The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection (SSUFSCP) received confirmation from the Embassy of Ukraine in the People’s Republic of China: the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine of the General Administration of Customs of China reviewed technical materials and videos prepared jointly with the Community of Producers and Consumers of Pulses of Ukraine. The audit was a necessary requirement under the Protocol of phytosanitary requirements for pea exports.

As a result of the review, China granted Ukraine permission to export peas. Currently, the General Administration of Customs of China has registered two Ukrainian enterprises engaged in storage and processing of peas, which may carry out exports in accordance with the Protocol.

SSUFSCP has also included three companies in the list of enterprises planning to export peas to China, and four companies in the list of producers growing peas for this market.

As reported earlier, despite the opening of the Chinese market, the expected breakthrough for Ukrainian peas at the start of the season did not occur – traders prepared shipments under China’s requirements, but reality proved more challenging due to strong competition from traditional suppliers.