Malta's farmed bluefin tuna has moved from being an exhibit at the China International Import Expo to a product sold in China, following a 2023 agreement allowing direct exports. Malta's minister for agriculture, fisheries and food, Anton Refalo, described the development in a November 1 interview with Xinhua.

The agreement represents a change for a product that has long been sold mainly to Japan. Access to China gives the Maltese product another market and creates opportunities across the bilateral seafood supply chain, from export to procurement.

The shift from exhibition to commercial product indicates that market access has translated into trade. The longer-term effect will depend on how sales develop and whether the new market becomes a sustained destination alongside Japan.