MINSK, July 28 -- Belarus will export 20 million U.S. dollars worth of beef to China in 2017, local media reported.

A protocol of intent on beef export to China was signed Friday by Belarusian companies including the Berezovsky meat canning plant, Pinsk meat packing plant and Brest meat packing plant, and Chinese trade and investment company "Great Silk Road."

Aleksei Bogdanov, head of the Foreign Trade Department of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry, said the Chinese side is interested in importing meat products from Belarus.

"However, we noted that it is necessary for us to slightly change the technology of boning meat to better cater to the demands of Chinese consumers. It will not be difficult for us to do this," he said.

Eight Belarusian meat processing companies have been certified to export beef to China.