Spain and China sign a strategic agreement to boost the export of organic products

 

The minister of the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Luis Planas, and the SAMR de China They have signed an organic certification agreement to boost Spanish exports in the Asian market under strict food safety conditions.

 

The official meeting held between the Spanish minister, Luis Planas, and the general director of the Administración Estatal de Regulación del Mercado de China (SAMR), Lou WenThe agreement concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This pact establishes a solid framework for technical and regulatory collaboration structured to foster the smooth exchange of information, the harmonization of technical standards, and the sustained growth of reciprocal trade in environmentally friendly goods.

 

The minister has stated that "This agreement opens up new opportunities for the Spanish organic sector and helps to strengthen its position in international markets."Through this new institutional environment, both delegations will focus their cooperation efforts on essential areas of certification, sector-specific training, development of operational capabilities, and comprehensive technical control systems.

 

Boost to the agroecological sector and historical trade balance

 

The roadmap for this memorandum envisions the immediate creation of joint working groups and the implementation of seminars, technical meetings, official missions, and direct exchanges between the administrations and sectors involved. With this alliance, España It reaffirms its status as a benchmark in organic production within the geopolitical framework of EuropaIt should be emphasized that, during the 2024 financial year, the national organic production sector recorded the highest trade balance in its history, with consolidated exports totaling 3.884 billion euros.

 

By signing this document, España y China They have a total of 30 bilateral agri-food cooperation agreements in place (23 of which have been finalized since 2018), which demonstrates the excellent level of commercial and institutional coordination that unites both powers.

 

Food safety and market opening for infant formula

 

During the bilateral working session, progress on food security was also examined in detail, under the guidelines of the original memorandum signed in November 2025 between the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación de España and the Chinese administration itself (SAMR).

 

To consolidate these advances, a strategic work plan focused exclusively on infant formula has been designed and approved. This plan is directly aimed at streamlining the registration and authorization processes for Spanish companies and manufacturers wishing to export to the Chinese market, while strictly guaranteeing compliance with the health and regulatory requirements established by both countries. This action plan includes:

 

• Establishment of a working group specializing in food regulations for infant formula.
• Constant exchange of cutting-edge technical and regulatory documentation and data.
• Joint advanced technical training programs and reciprocal inspection visits to facilities.

 

The minister Luis Planas He emphasized that cooperation on food security with the Asian nation is based on mutual trust and rigorous adherence to the highest sanitary control standards, which "It allows us to continue advancing in opening up opportunities for our companies under conditions of maximum guarantee.".

 

Trade and institutional ties between the two nations are going through a period of intense activity and dynamism. "China is a strategic partner for Spain"The Minister of Agriculture asserted, emphasizing that the Asian giant represents the primary destination for Spanish agri-food exports worldwide. Asia.

 

Bilateral trade in the agri-food sector exceeded €1.800 billion in 2025 for Spanish exports. The most significant trade items in this exchange were pork, animal by-products for human consumption, and olive oil.

 

Evolution of agri-food trade indicators Spain – China

 

Commercial Indicator / Segment	Time Period	Volume and Economic Impact
Exports from the Spanish organic sector	Year 2024	3.884 billion euros (Sectoral record)
Spanish agri-food exports to China	Year 2025	Over 1.800 million euros
Accumulated agri-food cooperation agreements	Historical period	30 trade agreements in force (23 since 2018)
Main export products to China	Consolidated	Pork, animal by-products and olive oil

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the trade agreement between Spain and China

 

What does the new organic certification agreement between Spain and China consist of?

It consists of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that structures a technical and regulatory collaboration framework designed to exchange information, harmonize standards and streamline bilateral trade in organic food.

 

What measures will be implemented to facilitate the export of infant formula to the Chinese market?

A work plan has been implemented to expedite the registration and authorization of manufacturers in Spain, through specific technical groups, regulatory exchange and reciprocal health inspection visits.

 

What is the current economic dimension of agri-food trade between the two partners?

Spanish exports to China exceeded 1.800 billion euros in 2025, mainly highlighting strategic products such as olive oil, pork and animal by-products.