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Türkiye and China signed protocols Tuesday that will allow Turkish exports of salmon, sea bream, sea bass and almonds to enter the Chinese market, marking a significant expansion in agricultural trade between the two nations.
Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli and Sun Meycun, head of China's General Administration of Customs, finalized the agreements during a meeting in Shanghai, where Yumakli was attending the Belt and Road Import and Export Food Safety Conference.
The protocols address inspection and health requirements for both wild-caught and farmed aquaculture products from Türkiye, as well as quarantine procedures for almond exports.
"In this period when the importance of global stability, sustainability and food security is increasing, deepening our cooperation in agriculture is of great importance for our common future," Yumakli said at the signing ceremony.
Türkiye is among the world's leading exporters of hazelnuts, pistachios, raisins, apricots and figs. The minister emphasized substantial potential exists for developing agricultural trade cooperation between the two countries, with technical teams from both nations working to remove trade barriers.
Technical teams from Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs held the third session of the Agricultural Executive Committee meeting in Beijing as part of ongoing efforts to advance trade.
Yumakli noted that Turkish private sector export demand has concentrated on poultry products, an area where Türkiye ranks among the world's top exporters and China is a major importer. However, trade in this sector was suspended due to periodic avian influenza outbreaks linked to external factors.
The minister expressed hope that trade could resume with issues resolved, noting that the World Organization for Animal Health has reported Türkiye as free from avian flu. He called for smoothing out remaining obstacles to restart commerce in poultry products.
Türkiye is ready to restart cherry exports to China, which were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, according to Yumakli. Türkiye is the world's third-largest cherry exporter after Chile and the United States.
"We have made the necessary technical preparations on this matter and are ready to restart the process," Yumakli said. He added that communication has been established for a Chinese technical delegation to visit regarding citrus exports, with work aimed at completion as soon as possible.
Sun Meycun said China has become Türkiye's second-largest global trading partner in recent years. Bilateral trade reached $33 billion last year, representing a 4.2% increase, he noted.
"In the first three quarters of this year, we recorded growth of 4.5% with a total agricultural volume of $300 million," Sun said. "Of course, the stable development of our bilateral trade relations would not have been possible without the support of the customs authorities and agriculture ministries of both countries, as well as the Turkish Embassy in China."
Sun expressed confidence that through joint efforts, many more Turkish agricultural products would reach Chinese consumers' tables.
Yumakli emphasized that the sincere and constructive dialogue between Türkiye and China holds critical importance not only for both countries but also for regional and global food security.
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