EU agriculture counselors explore cooperation with Nantong
Agriculture counselors of the delegation of the European Union to China attends a seminar in Nantong on May 8. [Photo/Nantong Daily]
Agriculture counselors of the delegation of the European Union to China visited Nantong, Jiangsu province, from May 7 to 9, to explore potential collaboration in agriculture and trade.
On May 8, the delegation participated in a seminar with representatives from Nanjing Customs, the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and local Nantong authorities. Key discussion topics included market access for animal and plant products, food inspection and quarantine regulations for imports and exports, and veterinary border controls.
Nantong's municipal bureaus of commerce and agricultural and rural affairs presented the city's economic, social, and agricultural development, highlighting its growing trade ties with the EU.
Customs data shows that in 2024, Nantong's trade with the EU reached 51.6 billion yuan ($7.13 billion), accounting for 13 percent of the city's total foreign trade volume. In the first quarter of this year, bilateral trade grew by 12.5 percent, totaling 13.08 billion yuan. EU investment in Nantong remains robust, with 493 projects established so far and $1.49 billion in actualized foreign investment.
Agricultural trade has also flourished, with Nantong's EU-related agricultural product imports and exports hitting 2.16 billion yuan in 2024. The city has seen strong exports of high-quality aquatic products and organic vegetables, while EU dairy products, wines, and pharmaceutical materials continue to enter China via Nantong's ports.
