Spain signs a historic agreement with China that will open the vast Chinese market to Spanish poultry meat
In a landmark move for the national agri-food sector, Spain and China signed on 28 April 2025 a new protocol paving the way for the export of Spanish poultry meat to the Asian giant. This agreement, regarded as a “historic demand” of the Spanish poultry sector, opens up a significant expansion opportunity in a market with high demand for poultry meat.
The signing took place in Madrid in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, and the Chinese Vice-Minister of Customs, Weihong Lyu. Both parties highlighted the strength of bilateral trade relations. Minister Planas underlined that this agreement responds to a long-awaited demand from Spanish producers, who see China as a market with enormous potential, particularly for products that may have more limited marketing opportunities elsewhere.
The MAPA will issue veterinary export certificates
The new protocol signed clearly establishes the responsibilities involved. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) will be responsible for the inspection and quarantine of poultry meat destined for China, as well as for issuing the required veterinary health certificates for export. This step is expected not only to boost exports to China, but also to strengthen the negotiating position of the Spanish poultry sector in future export dealings with other third countries, including the rest of the European Union. This is a key factor in reinforcing the economic viability of the Spanish poultry industry.
This protocol adds to a series of previous agreements between the two countries. Since June 2018, Spain and China have signed a total of 11 protocols to open the Chinese market to various Spanish agri-food products. The two most recent agreements, signed during the Spanish Prime Minister’s official visit to China on 11 April, concerned the expansion of pork products and the export of cherries.
A market of 1.4 billion people and current agri-food exports totalling €1,864 million
Recent figures underscore the growing importance of the Chinese market for Spain. In 2024, agri-food exports to the Asian country reached €1,864 million, generating a positive balance of €253 million for Spain in its agri-food trade with China. China thus consolidates its position as Spain’s ninth-largest export market by value and third outside the European Union, behind only the United Kingdom and the United States.
New digitally signed certificates to prevent potential fraud
In addition to the poultry meat protocol, the meeting also saw significant progress on a work plan for the implementation of an electronic signature system for export certificates. This plan, also signed at the meeting, aims to improve the efficiency of risk management procedures at border inspection services, combat and prevent fraud (by avoiding certificate forgery) and, more broadly, support international trade by streamlining administrative procedures. The adoption of electronic certification between the two countries will increase the speed and reliability of information transmission, strengthening security against potential counterfeiting.
The signing of this protocol for the export of poultry meat to China represents a crucial milestone for the Spanish poultry sector, offering a new and significant avenue for growth in a strategically important global market, complemented by advances in the modernisation of trade procedures.