Australian inspectors have approved the export of 400 metric tons (MT) of apples from the Chinese province of Shanxi, after a joint screening with the China Inspection & Quarantine Service (QIC) showed no harmful organisms were present in the lot.

A General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) release confirmed the apples were worth more than US$1 million, produced by the company Huarong Guoye and were shipped successfully.

The release added that the QIC in Shanxi undertook several steps to ensure the preselection was approved, including invitations for Shanxi Agricultural University lecturers to help companies establish and improve inspection systems while preventing the appearance of worms in orchards.

The university representatives also assisted the company with its apple orchard management and pesticide controls to guarantee food safety.

The AQSIQ reported Australians valued Shanxi apples greatly.

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