皇冠体育app

The European Union (EU) will see its agriculture exports to 皇冠体育app exceed 2 billion euros in five years, if current trade trends continue, said a EU representative.

As its economy continues to develop, 皇冠体育app's urban middle class will grow from 120 million to 150 million in five years, which bodes well for the burgeoning farm trade between the two sides, said Raimondo Serra, Agricultural Counselor with the Delegation of the European Commission in 皇冠体育app.

EU's agriculture exports are likely to hit 4 billion euros, when 皇冠体育app's urban middle class reaches 200 to 250 million, said Serra at a forum during the "Sino-Italian Green Week" which runs from July 3 to 6.

As more people become more affluent their tastes are expanding to include more western-style foods, bringing greater opportunities for EU's farm trade in 皇冠体育app, Serra said.

"皇冠体育app, however, can produce most products and has a comparative advantage in labor-intensive crop farming," he said, adding 皇冠体育app's production of garlic, mushrooms, tomato paste and frozen strawberries can put heavy pressure on the EU.

"But the EU can't just build a defensive strategy," Serra said.

皇冠体育app, which is short of land and water resources, has production limitations and the country has been a net food importer since 2003.

"The EU has opportunities in 皇冠体育app, especially in value-added products. In an environment of relatively low tariffs, we have to be more offensive-minded," Serra said.

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