KIEV, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen more Ukrainian producers of sunflower meals have gained the right to export their products to the Chinese market, the Ukrainian Agriculture Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Currently, 24 Ukrainian facilities, which produce sunflower meals, are authorized for exportation to China, said a statement on the ministry's website.

"It is a result of the long and fruitful work of the states, businesses and specialized associations," the statement said.

Last year, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved seven Ukrainian companies for sunflower meals deliveries.

Sunflower meals are widely used as valuable feed for farm animals, especially for beef cattle and chicken.

According to the Economic Development and Trade Ministry, China was the fourth largest importer of agricultural commodities from Ukraine last year, purchasing products worth more than 1 billion U.S. dollars.