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"Strengthening of bilateral relations and agricultural cooperation are one of my priority tasks. The Chinese government is also interested in this situation. Our political relations had come to a halt in the recent years; however, this year was marked with a breakthrough, which allows expecting progress. China greatly values both dairy and meat products," the Chinese ambassador said.

Lithuania's agriculture minister noted that Lithuanian produce is of excellent quality and meet the European Union's standards.

"We hope that people of China will enjoy these products in the near future. As we are looking for new markets, we see China as one of the most important partners for us. We envisage great opportunities for cooperation and we are ready to welcome China's representatives in order to answer all of their questions. Not only are the exports of dairy and products topical for us: our farmers are interested in trading in wheat, too," the Lithuanian minister said.

Minister Baltraitiene invited the Chinese representatives to take part in the international exhibition for agriculture and food industry AgroBalt which be held in Kaunas next year.

In late May, the minister is planning a visit to Beijing where she will meet with representatives of China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and discuss export possibilities.

This year, Lithuania will have new agricultural and cultural attaches in China. Lithuania's agricultural attache residing in Beijing will also be overseeing South Korea, Mongolia and Vietnam.

Trade with China now accounts only for a small proportion of Lithuania's total foreign trade in agricultural and food products: in 2013, exports to China stood at EUR 4.3 million.

Lithuania currently exports frozen bilberries, whey powder, wheat starch, alcoholic beverages, prepared rice and maize products to China. In 2014, Lithuania started exporting poultry meat and edible meat offal.