MINSK - The first Belarusian companies start frozen beef export to China, the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry said on Tuesday.

Two Belarusian companies, OAO Mogilev Meat Packing Plant and Veles-Meat, have been opened for deliveries of beef to China, head of the Foreign Trade Department of the ministry Aleksei Bogdanov told local media.

Belarus also constantly invites Chinese business delegations to work out delivery logistics, discuss meat cutting specifics and analyze the taste preferences of consumers, Bogdanov said.

Eight Belarusian meat processing companies have been certified to export beef to China.

In 2017, Belarus will export $20 million worth of beef to China. A protocol of intent on beef export to China has been signed between Chinese companies and Belarusian enterprises.