Chongqing - On March 10, a total of 19.5 tons of canned pork from Chongqing, Southwest China, were shipped to Singapore. This marks the first-ever export of Chongqing-made canned pork to a Southeast Asian country. Annual exports are expected to exceed 10 million yuan (about USD 1.38 million).

The canned production line of Chongqing Dejia Meat Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Photo/Chongqing Customs District)

Just a week earlier, Chongqing's animal-origin products regulatory system received the green light from Singapore's authorities, achieving regional access certification for the first time. This certification now allows Chongqing's pork, poultry, beef, mutton, and egg products, including canned meats, to be exported to Singapore.

"Our canned products are already sold in over 10 countries across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Oceania," said Lai Weixue, chairman of Chongqing Dejia Meat Technology Development Co., Ltd. The company, located in Hechuan District, Chongqing, operates a slaughterhouse with a capacity of 1 million pigs and multiple deep processing lines for meat products.

"Singapore's food safety system, with its strict traceability and quality control, is among the highest in the world. Thanks to guidance from Chongqing Customs and Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, we quickly aligned with their regulations and gained approval," Lai added.

This breakthrough was achieved through the efforts of Chongqing Customs District, which, recognizing the strong demand for canned meat in Singapore, launched the "factory guidance" initiative. The program assisted local companies in upgrading their production processes and improving management systems to meet Singapore's strict food safety standards.

Staff from Chongqing Customs District are providing guidance on the production line. (Photo/Chongqing Customs District)

Looking forward, Cui Guosheng, general manager of Chongqing Agricultural Products Group Food Science and Technology Co., Ltd., predicted that annual canned meat exports to Singapore would surpass 10 million yuan, with both signed and pending orders. 

"The successful export to Singapore is crucial for enhancing our brand's reputation and will help us gain stronger footholds in both international and domestic markets," Cui said.

"This marks a zero breakthrough for importing Chongqing's meat processing products to Singapore. It serves as a successful example of strengthening cooperation between Chongqing and Singapore in the trade of agricultural and food products," said Sun Xiyong, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce and deputy director of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Strategic Connectivity Project Management Bureau.

The achievement also aligns with the 2025 milestone, which marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Project on Strategic Connectivity (CCI). This collaboration has played a crucial role in helping Chongqing's regulatory system meet international standards and facilitate smoother access to foreign markets.

"This certification introduces a new, innovative process where one company’s successful certification benefits the entire city. In the future, qualified enterprises in Chongqing can quickly obtain export qualifications for Singapore, significantly reducing internationalization costs and boosting the scale of exports for Chongqing's agricultural products," said Wang Zhongwen, deputy director of Chongqing Customs District. 

This milestone export is expected to open new opportunities for Chongqing’s meat products on the global stage, strengthening its position in the international market while fostering closer economic ties between Chongqing and Singapore.