China to allow Austrian pork imports from 2015: Media

VIENNA - An Austrian trade delegation has won assurances from China that it will allow pork imports from Austria as of next year, several Austrian media reported.

Diversifying export markets is a priority for Austria given Russian restrictions on food imports amid a trade row with Western countries over allegations Moscow is supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, which Russia denies.

Chinese authorities said they will drop veterinary restrictions, freeing the way for pork imports from 2015, several newspapers accompanying the delegation reported. "I am overjoyed that this has succeeded," Agriculture Minister Andrae Rupprechter was quoted as saying in the Kleine Zeitung.

"I assume that we can compensate for the collapse of the Russian market within two years." Austria exported pork worth 23.1 million euros (S$37.6 million) to Russia in 2013, the paper said.

Media reported that Rupprechter had agreed this week with South Korea, which already allows pork imports from Austria, to allow exports of additional products such as bacon and sausage from 2015.