Malta signs historic fisheries export agreement with China as sector seeks new markets

Malta has signed an agreement that will allow the export of wild-caught aquatic products to China for the first time, in what Government officials are describing as a major step forward for Malta’s fisheries sector and a new phase in relations between the two countries.

The agreement was concluded during an official visit to China by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo, who met with Meijun Sun, China’s Minister of the General Administration of Customs. According to the Ministry, the deal is expected to create new revenue opportunities for Maltese fishers, reduce dependence on traditional export markets and strengthen cooperation in sustainable fisheries and agriculture.

The deal builds on previous milestones in Malta–China trade relations. In 2023, Malta signed a bilateral agreement allowing the export of bluefin tuna – both caught and farmed to the Chinese market. The first shipments began in 2024, initially by air and later by sea, positioning Malta among the first Mediterranean countries to access China’s vast seafood sector.

“This historic agreement opens a new chapter for the Maltese fishing community,” Minister Refalo said. “For the first time, our wild-caught fisheries products will have direct access to the Chinese market, one of the largest and most promising in the world. This means not only new income opportunities and better prices, but also international recognition of the quality and professionalism of our fishers.”

Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said, who has been involved in the bilateral negotiations since early technical talks began in 2021, described the new wild-caught export agreement as a further boost to the sector.

She also noted that the Ministry is working to broaden China-bound exports to other high-quality Maltese products, including red prawns, canned foods and olive oil.