Spain and China strengthen their agri-food collaboration with six new agreements
Spain is strengthening its position as a safe and competitive supplier to the Chinese market, with an eye toward future growth opportunities.
This week, six agreements were signed: on the regionalization of avian influenza and Newcastle disease; on the pistachio and dried fig sector; animal protein fertilizers; animal protein; pork; and a memorandum of understanding on geographical indications.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, emphasizes that these agreements represent a strategic step to boost the bilateral relationship, diversify markets and strengthen the Spanish production sector.
Spain and China have reached new agreements on animal health and agri-food exports, strengthening bilateral cooperation and consolidating Spain's position as a reliable and competitive supplier in this Asian market, one of the most important in the world. During Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's visit to China, five new cooperation protocols and a memorandum of understanding on designations of origin were signed.
A total of six agreements have been signed. These include a protocol to recognize regionalization in the case of avian influenza and Newcastle disease for poultry exports from disease-free zones; another on phytosanitary matters for plant products that will allow the export of pistachios and dried figs to China; two related to pork products; and one more on the use of animal protein as fertilizer. In addition, a memorandum of understanding on geographical indications has been signed.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, emphasized that the protocols consolidate mutual trust between the two countries and Spain's prestige as a source of safe food. "These agreements represent a strategic step to boost the bilateral relationship, diversify markets, and strengthen the Spanish production sector," he stated.
Since 2018, Spain and China have already signed 22 collaboration agreements for the export of food.
Strengthening the sanitary framework for the poultry trade
China has recognized the regionalization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease, which will allow for the establishment of a stable framework for exports of poultry and poultry products.
This recognition of regionalization for these two diseases is key to avoiding disruptions in trade in the event of outbreaks and ensuring the continuity of exports of poultry products from unaffected regions.
Also noteworthy is the signing of a phytosanitary protocol that will allow the export of pistachios and dried figs from Spain to China.
This expands the portfolio of Spanish plant products authorized for export to China, which already includes fresh fruits (citrus fruits, peaches, plums, table grapes and persimmons), nuts such as almonds, and products intended for animal feed.
Negotiations for this protocol began in September 2024, following the agreement reached in 2023 for almond exports. The necessary technical exchange took place in 2025, and after the inclusion of dried figs, at the request of the exporting sector, both parties agreed on a joint protocol, the negotiation of which was finalized in March 2026. Before exports begin, an inspection visit by Chinese authorities to the Spanish production areas is planned.
New opportunities for the pork sector
In the pork sector, two highly relevant agreements have been promoted, such as the protocol for the export of processed proteins, which will allow the valorization of by-products derived from the powerful Spanish meat industry, and will contribute to improving the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector.
Furthermore, an amendment to the existing protocol for pork exports has been agreed upon, with the aim of including cooked products. This expansion will allow a greater number of Spanish companies to export heat-treated products and strengthen their presence in their main foreign market. China remains the most important destination for Spanish pork exports.
The agreement also contemplates opening the Chinese market to fertilizers made from animal proteins, such as blood from the meat industry. This agreement will allow for the valorization of byproducts from both an economic and environmental perspective.
Furthermore, the memorandum of understanding on geographical indications, signed with the National Intellectual Property Administration of China, focuses on cooperation between the two parties.
These agreements have been made possible thanks to the close collaboration between the Spanish export sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Chinese authorities, especially the General Administration of Customs.
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