Chinese phytosanitary inspectors says they have detected the Neofabraea kienholzii pathogen in a shipment of Polish apples, not long after the European country gained market access.

The pathogen causes what's known as bull’s-eye rot in pome fruit, which is present in the U.S., Europe and some other fruit-growing regions.

In an announcement on its website, the Panyu Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau described the disease as "apple tree cancer", saying it was the main pest of concern under the export protocol agreement signed by Poland and China.

It added the disease had never occurred in China, and could therefore cause great damage to the country's agricultural industry.

Poland, a leading apple exporter, was one of the hardest-hit countries from the 2014 Russian import ban and has been negotiating for years to gain access to China.

Major apple export cooperative Appolonia last month carried out its first shipments to the Asian country, and had set a goal of 200 containers for the season.

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