A European Union (EU) agri-food sector delegation is set to accompany EU Commissioner Phil Hogan on his latest business offensive to China in May 2018.

The aim of the visit is to help build exchange and agreements between European and Chinese businesses active in the agri-food sector, and bolster the presence of European agri-food products in the Chinese market.

China was the second largest importer of EU agricultural and processed agricultural products in 2016, receiving 8.7% of all EU agricultural exports.

The programme for business delegates will run from May 14-19 in Shanghai and Shenzen, and the deadline to apply to be part of the agri-food delegation is February 2, 2018.

A highlight will be the food innovation exhibition SIAL 2018 fair in Shanghai, which last year attracted 3200 exhibitors from 67 countries as well as more than 100,000 visitors.