China has officially started importing beef from Hungary after the first ever shipment of 12-tonne frozen beef arrived at a Shanghai port this past week. The beef, valued at $70, 600, is expected to reach the market before the Chinese Lunar Year (Feb. 8), according to a joint press release by the Shanghai Customs and Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau on a joint press release.

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The trade in beef between China and Hungary was made possible after both nations signed an agreement in October last year in the spirit of the Belt and Road initiative. The agreement permits the entry of imported beef from Hungary.

Due to mad cow disease linked to farms in Europe, China barred beef coming from the European Union in 2001. Chinese authorities conducted thorough inspection of Hungary's cattle and beef production, and food safety management processes before the deal for the importation of beef from the European country was signed.

Hungary not only ships beef to China, but also milk. Observers say the shipment of these products is continuously rising. Chinese beef and mutton consumers are also rising, increasing the demand on the market. According to Shanghai Customs, last year, the city imported about 170,000 tons of beef worth 5.5 billion yuan.

China imports Hungarian frozen beef, while Hungary also buys pork from China. Hungary was ranked as the 22^nd country based on the amount of imported China's meat and the 15^th country with access to China's pork market during the year 2015, according to the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection Quarantine (AQSIQ).

Tagsfirst ever shipped 12-tonne frozen beefHungary, MOU, Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, European Union, Chinese beef and mutton