European Union Agricultural Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel is leading a delegation of business executives to China starting Monday to promote EU food products. Her visit from May 18-22 to Shanghai and Beijing, China, aims to promote "the quality and diversity of European food and drink," the European Commission said last Friday.

"The business representatives have been selected taking into account products where there already is an EU presence on the Chinese market and where there is significant potential for growth in the future. The main objective of the visit is to spearhead a promotional effort to increase joint business opportunities in the agri-food sector between the EU and China," the EU executive said.

EU agricultural trade with China has grown 82% in the past four years.

Beyond the promotional aspects of the trip, Fischer Boel has meetings planned with China's Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, Agriculture Minister Sun Zhengcai, Minister Wang Yong of the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine and Vice-minister of Commerce Yi Xiaozhun.

Accompanying her are executives from: Bongrain (France), dairy; Hoogwegt Groep (Netherlands), dairy; Danish Crown Pork Division (Denmark), meat, Vion Food Group NV (Netherlands, Germany, U.K.), meat; Maspex GMW (Poland), cereals-based products and fruit, juices; Besana Group (Italy), fresh fruit; Anecoop (Spain), fresh fruit; Scotch Whisky Assn. (U.K.), spirits; Gancia (Italy), wine; Grupo SOS (Spain), olive oil, and HZPC (Netherlands), potatoes.