China, UK sign 'unique' organic deal
The UK’s Soil Association Certification and China’s organic certification body, Organic Food Develo…The UK’s Soil Association Certification and China’s organic certification body, Organic Food Development Centre (OFDC), have entered into what is described as a unique partnership that makes it cheaper and simpler for the UK’s organic businesses to export to China.
Demand for organic products in China is growing rapidly, with the market estimated to be worth US$7.8 billion by 2015, indicating that China’s consumers are increasingly looking for food and products they can trust, said the Soil Association. The partnership will allow Chinese organic consumers to access more high quality UK organic produce, said the Soil Association, as well as enabling UK Soil Association certified organic businesses, who saw strong growth of 6% in 2013, to export to this major market.
“We think the partnership is good and very important for our collaboration and can help us promote our mutual organic programme,” said Xingji Xiao, director of OFDC in Beijing.
“This new partnership comes at a time where there is positive growth in both the UK and Chinese organic markets and exports of UK organic produce to China can really flourish,” said Emma Yeats, senior certification manager, Soil Association Certification. “Working with OFDC will make the process of certification for our UK licensees wanting to export to China both efficient and cost effective. We are delighted with this partnership which helps develop an important export opportunity.”
The new partnership is part of the Soil Association Certification’s Export Support Programme, where experts are working with international governments, trade associations, export agencies and certification bodies in different markets, working to open up new business opportunities for Soil Association certified organic businesses.
