(Yicai Global) Nov. 30 -- China has completed the quarantine protocols agreed as part of the first phase of its trade deal with the United States, according to a senior customs official.

All 37 animal and plant quarantine tasks for agricultural products have been completed on schedule, the Global Times reported, citing Zhao Zenglian, director of the General Administration of Customs’ animal and plant quarantine department.

The two countries pledged to strengthen cooperation in the field of agriculture and boost trade in farm products in the first phase of the deal they signed on Jan. 15.

The GAC has resolved the quarantine protocols for US produce including potatoes, barley, and pet food, and lifted the ban on poultry, Zhao said at a monthly press conference, adding that the procedures involved for exporting Chinese citrus, fresh dates and fragrant pears to the US have also been completed.

Under their deal, US agricultural exports to China are expected to reach USD27 billion in the year ending Sept. 30, 2021, according to a report published by the US agriculture department on Nov. 23. That would make China the biggest market for US farm produce, a position it last held in fiscal 2017, the report added.

Editor: Tom Litting