You Can Once Again Get Your Favorite Cheeses In China

“Say cheese” is once again guaranteed to produce a smile in China, now that an import ban on soft and blue cheeses has been lifted.

China recently went several weeks without some of life’s most delicious foods—namely, soft and blue cheeses like roquefort and gorgonzola. An import ban was imposed on these types of cheeses early last month because the strains of bacteria used in making them hadn’t been officially approved by the Chinese authorities, reports the BBC. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar and manchego, were not affected by the ban.
Over this past weekend, Chinese authorities met with officials from the E.U. and lifted the import ban. According to the BBC, the EU Delegation and the French Embassy will be organizing meetings between European and Chinese experts in order to update standards, to try to avoid similar bans in the future. Cheese imports are expected to resume immediately, but the country may be looking at another several weeks before the newly lawful cheeses make their way through the import procedures and supply chain, and are once again found at markets and restaurants.
The ban had such a large effect on the country because more than 90 percent of the cheese sold in China is imported, according to the BBC, with the majority of it coming from Australia and New Zealand. A research company called Euromonitor predicts that cheese sales in China will reach $800 million this year, up more than 20 percent from 2016. Will cheese go the route of prestigious wines, or expensive scotch, or even coffee, with China coming to dominate the global marketplace? It’s definitely possible, especially after being plunged into a brief but massive cheese withdrawal, that the country’s luxury market will come to appreciate these most delicious of cheeses even more than ever before.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

View Offers