Beef exported from Belarus for the first time entered the Chinese market via the Shanghai Airport Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau recently, ThePaper.cn reported.

The frozen beef from Belarus, weighing 148.45 kilograms, is the first exported to China after the two countries signed a deal in July 2017 approving imports. The deal makes Belarus the 14th country approved to export its beef to China.

Belarus, an important country along the Belt and Road, boasts highly developed animal husbandry and high-quality beef. It exports over 130,000 tons of beef to other countries every year.

China, as the world’s third largest beef importer, consumes as much as 7.9 million tons of beef each year.

Against the backdrop of joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, China has been expanding its beef imports in recent years. The imported beef is popular among Chinese consumers as it maintains a high quality at a reasonable price.

Statistics show that beef import via the bureau in Shanghai stood at a growth rate of about 20 percent, while at the same time imports of traditional meat like pork and poultry saw decline in recent years.

The bureau also disclosed that it simplifies the quarantine inspection and customs clearance procedures for the beef imported from approved countries to the Chinese market.

Apart from Belarus, 13 other countries were approved to export beef to China including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Canada, the U.S., Mongolia, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay, New Zealand, Hungary and Chile.