According to a press release from the Slovenian Agriculture Ministry, the two canned fish producers have been cleared by the Chinese Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) and may now register with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to start exporting to China.

The approval procedures for Slovenian canned fish started in February 2016, and the clearance comes after a breakthrough was already achieved in June 2016 for dairy products of Ljubljanske mlekarne, Mlekarna Celeia, Pomurske mlekarne and Mlekarna Planika.

Permits for export of honey and honey-based products are still in the pipeline.

Opening up new markets for Slovenian food products is one of the Agriculture Ministry's key priorities, and the ministry said one of the crucial factors in obtaining clearance was the intense cooperation with regular visits between Agriculture Minister Dejan Židan and Chinese authorities.

Židan will visit China again from 17 to 19 May to continue the efforts of opening its market to Slovenian food products.