AVIANZA has travelled to China to strengthen commercial ties ahead of the imminent opening of the Chinese poultry market to Spain
The Spanish Interprofessional Association for Poultry Meat (AVIANZA) has carried out a significant prospecting visit to China. The main objective of this trip was to lay the groundwork for the imminent opening of the Spanish poultry market in the country of 1.4 billion poultry meat consumers.
This mission seeks to strengthen commercial, logistical and technical ties between Spain and China.
The visit follows the approval of the new protocol for the export of Spanish poultry meat to China, which was signed on 28 April by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, and China’s Vice Minister of Customs, Weihong Lyu. The AVIANZA delegation travelled to China ahead of the forthcoming market opening.
Key meetings held
The mission took place from 18 to 22 May. It was led by Josep Solé, President of AVIANZA, and Jordi Montfort, Secretary General of the association. During their stay, they held crucial meetings with various stakeholders in the Chinese sector, including importers, authorities, industry associations and major companies.
The purpose of these meetings was to explore and identify export opportunities for Spanish poultry meat, covering products such as chicken, turkey and quail, into China, one of the world’s most significant markets. The institutional agenda included a meeting in Shanghai with the country’s leading chicken importers, Tang Food LTD (represented by Zilou Wang and Bai Ruxue), who showed a particular interest in chicken wings and feet, as well as Spanish turkey meat. In addition, the delegation met with JIA Logistics, a prominent customs agency at the Port of Tianjin, to gain a detailed understanding of import procedures through China’s Customs system (GACC) and to evaluate digital tools to facilitate trade operations.
Collaboration with Chinese Associations
As Spain’s leading poultry meat interprofessional association, AVIANZA represents more than 95% of the country’s poultry meat integrators. A key meeting of the delegation led by Josep Solé and Jordi Montfort was with Chen Wei, President of the China Meat Association (CMA), and other representatives of the organisation. Both parties reached an agreement to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The signing of this MOU is scheduled for 3 June, coinciding with AVIANZA’s General Assembly. This agreement aims to promote technical, commercial and industrial cooperation between the meat sectors of Spain and China. Additionally, AVIANZA received an invitation to join the Meat Club. This forum is considered strategic for addressing technical, health and trade matters, including challenges such as avian influenza and regionalisation contingency plans (compartmentalisation into zones within a country), which are essential should an avian influenza outbreak ever occur on Spanish poultry farms. It should be noted that the CMA accounts for 70% of meat imports in China. China has more than 2,000 meat companies, with 6,400 affiliated to the CMA.
Exploration of production and logistics
Part of this prospecting trip included a visit to Dachan Foods, one of China’s largest poultry producers, located in Anhui Province. The objective of this visit was to gain a first-hand understanding of their production processes and products. This enabled the identification of significant synergies and opportunities for Spanish producers. The logistical and regulatory dimension was also a central focus of the visit. The delegation visited the Port of Tianjin, where they met with representatives of Chinese Customs (GACC) and the Port Free Trade Zone (DFTP). During these meetings, the operational inspection and customs clearance processes for meat products were reviewed in detail. These processes are fundamental to ensuring a smooth and secure trade flow.
Identification of new product opportunities
The visit concluded on Thursday 22 May at Shandong Yubang Food Group Co. LTD. At this location, an analysis was carried out of hen product types and by-products. The purpose was to determine which of these could be revalorised in the Spanish market. This identification opens up the possibility of establishing new lines of business and industrial utilisation for the Spanish poultry sector.
Strategic importance and market potential
China is recognised as one of the world’s largest meat importers. AVIANZA, which represents more than 95% of poultry meat integrators in Spain, considers this mission to be a fundamental step. Its purpose is to secure the entry of Spanish products into this important market, which will contribute to consolidating the international prestige and competitiveness of the Spanish poultry sector. Josep Solé, President of AVIANZA and leader of the mission, highlighted the strong interest shown by Chinese authorities and companies. This, according to Solé, confirms the potential of Spanish poultry production, both in terms of quality and its ability to meet international requirements. He stressed that, after several years of negotiation and preparation by the Spanish sector, mutual understanding between both countries is now a reality.
Next steps towards the effective start of exports
In the coming months, AVIANZA will continue to work actively in collaboration with Spanish and Chinese authorities. The objective of this joint work is to finalise the necessary technical and commercial agreements. The successful conclusion of these agreements will enable the effective commencement of Spanish poultry meat exports to China. This, in turn, will open up new opportunities for Spain’s poultry integrators and chicken growers.
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