Sunflower oil, wheat and soybeans are mostly supplied to P. R. China but domestic beef is one of the most promising products 

Over the past 5 years, export of the Ukrainian agricultural products to China grew 12 times - from USD 85.7 million in 2012 to USD 1,024 million in 2016, and the share in agricultural export structure increased from 0.5% to 6.7% respectively. 

China belongs to the countries that are the most dynamically developing, resulting in growth of population income, primarily middle class. The similar dynamics is characterized by change of the consumer tastes - a shift from consumption of cheap grain crops and cereals to protein products (dairy products and meat) occurs.

Consumption of milk and cattle meat is fastest growing in this context. Since 2012 China's consumption of milk has increased by 11.5%, meat – by 15.1% (in 2016 compared to 2012). For example, in 2016 China consumed by 3.9 million tons of milk more and by 1 million tons of cattle meat more. Total volume of beef consumption was 7.7 million tons, while domestic production was 6.9 million tons.

Such trend is forcing China to increase import. Imports of frozen cattle meat (+ USD 2.2 billion), pork (+ USD 2.2 billion), sorghum (+ USD 1.4 billion), pastry (+ USD 2 million) and pork by-products (+ USD 1 billion) have increased the most over the past 5 years.

The main countries supplying meat to the Celestial Empire are Brazil (30%), Uruguay (27%) and Australia (19%). However, due to the recent scandal with realization of the low-quality beef and chicken from Brazil, supplies from this country are expected to be reduced opening prospects for exports not only to such well-known world market leaders as Australia and India, but to Ukraine as well.

Our country is an exporter of cattle meat, but now only Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are the major consumers of domestic beef. Still, quality of the Ukrainian products allows to be eligible for the markets of other countries. Lack of recognition of the relevant quality certificates constitutes the main obstacle to expansion of the sales markets.

In order to resolve this issue an inspection visit of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China is expected to take place at the end of April this year. Chinese inspectors will assess the state system of control over the production of beef in Ukraine, in particular, the work of State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. Subject to successful recognition of the state control system, certification of the Ukrainian companies complying with requirements of the P. R. of China will be conducted. It will allow domestic enterprises to export cattle meat and processed beef products to China.