BRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) hopes to export more agriproducts to China, a senior EU official said Friday ahead of a trade promotion trip to China.

China is a crucial market for EU agriproducts and has seen considerable growth in recent years, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said as he embarked on a six-day campaign accompanied by a group of European business leaders.

During the trip, part of an EU program to boost agricultural sales inside and outside the EU, Hogan will meet with Chinese agricultural and commerce ministers and attend a series of promotion events.

Hogan said he would highlight the quality of Europe's products in hopes of stimulating further demand from China, which is now the second largest importer of EU agriproducts.

Describing bilateral agricultural cooperation as "excellent," Hogan said he looked forward to showing Europe's openness to business, in particular for agriproducts.

Business delegates of 44 agriculture-related enterprises and organizations from more than 15 EU member states will join Hogan to seek more business opportunities in China.

China purchased 8 percent of all EU agricultural exports in 2015, only lower than that of the United States. On top of China's shopping list were infant food, pork, offal, wine and spirits, and dairy products.

The EU is the fifth largest importer of Chinese agricultural exports, mostly buying fresh and processed vegetables and fruits.

Hogan will attend the G7 agriculture ministers' meeting in Japan after concluding his visit to the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai.