China possible new market for Estonian agricultural products hit by Russian sanctions

The Estonian Minister of Agriculture Ivari Padar met with Mr QU Zhe, the Chinese Ambassador to Estonia, to discuss the possible import of Estonian food products into China.

"For Estonia, it has always been essential to find new markets for our agricultural products, and we have done well, since regaining independence. Good bilateral relations and trade with China are therefore very important," Padar said.

"I made it clear to the Chinese Ambassador that Estonia has dairy industry which is capable and willing to export extremely good quality products to the Chinese market."

Estonia and China have previously signed a memorandum for agricultural collaboration.

"We discussed with the Ambassador how to implement it better. Estonia has already a good experience in exporting fish products to China," Padar added.

The value of Estonia’s food export to China was 10 million euros last year.

On 7 August, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev announced full embargo on beef and pork, fruit and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products from the European Union, prompting Estonia to actively seek new markets for its food products previously exported to Russia.