China Rolls Out First Canned Tuna from Maldives

For the first time, a Chinese company has produced canned tuna using fish exported from the Maldives.

The sample batch was manufactured through a collaboration between Weihai QZ Blusea Foods Co. Ltd. and the Jingweidao brand. It was presented to Maldives’ Ambassador to China, Fazeel Najeeb, at a ceremony held in China.
According to Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam, the initiative was made possible through the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which removes import duties on Maldivian fish entering China.

“It marks a pioneering step in leveraging the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, which allows zero import duty for Maldivian fish products entering China,” the Minister shared in a post on social media platform X.
He also noted that the agreement is part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision to diversify the country’s fisheries sector, find new markets, and promote sustainable, high-value fish exports.

The China-Maldives FTA came into effect on January 1 this year. Under the deal, 296 seafood items from the Maldives can be exported to China without incurring import duty. Local businesses will also be able to sell seafood to China at prices that meet World Trade Organisation (WTO) standards.