Ekro, the subsidiary of the VanDrie Group, is the first European veal slaughterhouse to receive approval to export veal products to China. This signifies a breakthrough in the 17-year negotiation process concerning the export of Dutch veal to China.

Initially, only boneless veal will be allowed to cross the border.

The Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and the Commerce Minister Zhong Shan visited the Netherlands this week. The Chinese government had authorised the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) to perform the final required inspection at one veal producing company.

First order

Ekro is shipping the first veal order to China this week. Henny Swinkels, director of corporate affairs at Ekro, says the Netherlands has a good reputation in the field of nutrition in China.

“With our quality system Safety Guard, we provide unique guarantees for the Dutch veal products that we deliver, such as quality, tracking and tracing and food safety. Chinese consumers find these elements very important. It is now up to us to familiarise the market with the product,” Swinkels said.

He commended the Dutch embassy and its agricultural attaches in China, the NVWA and the chief veterinary officer on achieving the breakthrough.

Calf exports 44% ahead of last year

Dutch veal gains access to China

After 17 years of negotiations, the Chinese market is open to Dutch veal.