Ningbo Positions Itself as Prime Gateway for Central and Eastern European Agri-Products Entering China

 

 

A Joint Declaration on cooperation was recently inked between the China-CEEC Customs Information Center (hereinafter referred to as the “Customs Information Center”) and the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries (APACCCEEC), to bolster collaborative efforts in facilitating the import of distinctive and high-quality agricultural and food products from Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). The Customs Information Center is an international cooperation project commissioned by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and operated by Ningbo Customs. Meanwhile, the APACCCEEC is initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria. Following the establishment of its liaison office and the CEEC Products Permanent Pavilion in Ningbo in May, this new cooperation provides a fresh impetus for Ningbo to reinforce its position as the prime gateway for CEEC agricultural products entering China.

The signing of the Joint Declaration integrates the strengths of the platforms led by the respective sides, and marks a proactive step by Customs authorities in exploring a new model of “inter- agency cooperation”. Through platform synergy, the partnership will help achieve policy coordination, streamline trade between China and Bulgaria, strengthen people-to-people ties, and improve the overall trade facilitation level for agricultural and food products between China and CEECs, injecting renewed energy into bilateral trade.

 

 

 

 

The four consecutive China-CEEC Expos hosted by Ningbo have seen a growing number of distinctive agricultural products from CEECs find their way onto dining tables and into the daily routines of ordinary Chinese citizens, a trend that exposes Chinese consumers to a wider selection of goods while clearing a path to the Eastern market for CEEC agricultural producers and traders, yielding concrete mutual benefits. Asthe designated China-CEEC Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone, the city imported 120-million-yuan worth of agricultural products from CEECs in the first ten months of this year, surpassing the full-year 2019 total and standing at nearly twice its 2018 level.

Take Bulgaria as a case in point. The country showcases rich agricultural resources and superior plant extraction techniques. Its rose essential oil, revered as "liquid gold," along with derivative skincare products, is garnering strong popularity among Chinese consumers. From its wines, honey, and dairy to other distinctive agricultural goods, Bulgaria is steadily gaining traction in China thanks to their unique quality and flavor profiles. At the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), which just concluded, the standalone booth of Bulgarian brand "Biofresh", represented by Ningbo Dijia Weida Business Trade Co., Ltd, became a hub for engagement, drawing steady streams of buyers and visitors. "This year marks our fifth as the brand's general agent in China, and my tenth in CEEC trade," shared Chen Yi, the company's General Manager. "Our journey with Bulgaria started with roses, but has since broadened to encompass a growing range of high-quality agricultural offerings. Beyond rose essential oil, products like honey, dairy items, rose tea, and hair dye are also making inroads. We will remain committed to introducing more Bulgarian specialties and expanding their footprint in the Chinese market."

Simultaneously, a growing array of Chinese-made products, from clothing and furniture to household appliances, are becoming commonplace in households across CEECs. Exports of China’s "New Three" categories (namely electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products) to CEEC markets are also rising steadily. In the first ten months, Ningbo’s import and export volume with CEEC markets reached 49.79 billion yuan, up 4.5 percent year-on-year. Notably, exports accounted for 41.24 billion yuan, rising 12.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Ningbo Customs has been instrumental in facilitating smooth trade with CEEC partners. Operating as a one-stop information service, the official website of Customs Information Center is built around three core functions, namely the facilitation of policy information exchange, the provision of expert consultation, and the implementation of monitoring and early-warning systems, through nine dedicated modules spanning everything from laws and regulations to clearance guides. As of October 2025, the website had published approximately 24,000 entries, in both Chinese and English, on topics such as policy updates, trade facilitation measures, technical standards, and trade statistics, attracting more than 4.8 million visits.

"We are dedicated to offering substantial support to businesses through transparent and efficient services, such as Customs policy information sharing and consultation," said the head of the China-CEEC Customs Information Center. "This commitment will provide more robust informational backing for CEEC imports and exports, further elevating trade facilitation."

In the next phase, both parties will also deepen coordination by organizing joint policy briefings, information sharing, as well as professional exchange and training programs. These initiatives are designed to enhance information exchange, advance trade facilitation, and inject fresh impetus into economic and trade cooperation between China and CEECs.

 

 

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Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Blue News. The China Blue News version shall prevail.