The first batch of mainland chilled and frozen chickens will be available in Hong Kong today following the lifting of a ban imposed during the bird flu outbreak.
A government spokesman said 76 applications had been received for import permits since it announced the resumption of supplies earlier this month.
Permit holders can import chilled and frozen chickens from the mainland for the next six months but will have to apply for an import licence for every order.
The Guangzhou Daily estimated that 9,000 chilled chickens weighing 10,800 catties would be transported to Hong Kong markets through the Man Kam To border this morning.
Under the agreement, mainland health officials must seal the consignments. Offal must be removed from all imported chilled and frozen poultry and will not be allowed to be imported during the next six months.
Hong Kong banned imports of all chilled and live poultry from the mainland on January 30 following the bird flu outbreak.