China signals renewed aquaculture imports from Taiwan after opposition party visit
Beijing moves to reopen select trade channels with Taiwan while outlining changes in seafood import policy following political talks.
CHINA – China has indicated plans to resume limited engagement with Taiwan, including the possibility of resuming direct flights to several mainland cities and allowing imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products, following a visit by a senior opposition party figure from the island.
The Taiwan Work Office made the announcement under the Chinese Communist Party, which also said it was open to establishing a long-term communication channel with Taiwan’s Kuomintang Party, alongside easing restrictions on selected seafood exports.
Political talks and trade signals
The comments followed a meeting on April 10 between Kuomintang chair Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which both sides publicly called for peace but did not outline concrete steps to advance cross-strait relations.
China has maintained a series of import restrictions on Taiwanese agricultural and seafood products since 2021, starting with a ban on pineapples and later expanding to include grouper, squid, tuna, and several fruit categories.
After the grouper restriction, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture attempted to negotiate revisions to entry requirements, but China responded by limiting approvals to a small group of designated exporters, without offering broader clarification.
Taiwan authorities have since stated that they will continue supporting farmers and businesses in finding alternative export destinations to reduce dependence on the mainland market.
China seafood import trends
China’s seafood imports showed strong movement in 2025, with cephalopod imports rising by 41.92% to 541,519 tonnes valued at US$1.842 billion.
Trade data indicates that major suppliers during the period included Ecuador, Russia, India, and Vietnam, with key import categories covering salmon, shrimp, and whitefish species such as cod and pollock.
The broader market saw a temporary contraction in 2024, when total seafood import value fell to US$18.2 billion, a 5.2% decline, before recovering momentum in the following year as demand stabilised.
Industry patterns also show shifting consumer demand, with imports of live crabs increasing by 13% and live rock lobster rising by 39%, driven by higher-end consumption in coastal cities.
A large share of imported seafood, particularly frozen whitefish from Russia and other suppliers, continues to be channelled into processing facilities for re-export markets rather than direct domestic retail consumption.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
