Greek cherries to China: negotiations concluded, protocol signing still pending
Greece’s Foreign Ministry reports progress on the export protocol after the joint committee in Ningbo. It gives no signing date or date for shipments to begin.
Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 5 November 2026 that negotiations on a protocol for exporting Greek cherries to China had been concluded. The announcement reviews the 15th Greece–China Joint Interministerial Committee in Ningbo on 2–4 November.
The ministry says the protocol is to be signed shortly. The announcement provides no signing date and is not accompanied by the final signed text or instructions for the first shipments.
What stage has been reached
The development concerns the conclusion of negotiations, as reported by the Greek side. This is insufficient to establish that the market is already open and exports can begin under specified terms. Signing and implementation require separate confirmation.
For growers, cooperatives and exporters, the next information to check is the official text and instructions setting shipment conditions. The release provides no list of approved facilities, required documents, volumes or export timetable; it therefore does not establish specific orders or revenue.
Yoghurt remains under discussion
In the same release, the ministry reports agreement to intensify contacts between the competent authorities on access for Greek yoghurt to China. This is a separate process: no completion of a corresponding yoghurt protocol is announced.
This information is attributed to the ministry’s official announcement. Its assessments of the prospects for bilateral relations do not constitute an independent measure of export performance.
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