Irish animal feed company Connolly's Red Mills claims it is the first in the world to secure a licence to import horse feed into China.
The deal - which could be worth several million euro - gives the Co Kilkenny company a first mover advantage in the huge Chinese market.
China now becomes Connolly's Red Mills 37th export market globally and it already has a strong presence in the rest of Asia.
The group employs 200 people at its plant in Goresbridge and at export offices around the world, including the UK, Sweden, France, Japan and Malaysia.
The deal was announced in China today during the agri-services trade mission to the country being led by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney.
''Although the Chinese horse market is still emerging, there is considerable potential and advantage of us by being first past the post, said Red Mill's managing director Joe Connolly.
Yesterday, it emerged that China had chosen Ireland to help establish a multi-billion euro horse-racing and breeding industry.
As a first step, Ireland will work with the Chinese government to put in place a national equine centre in Tianjin, the country's fourth largest city.
The facility is expected to generate almost €40m in exports for Ireland within three years.
The Tianjin Equine Culture City project, costing almost €2 billion, will help China to develop a horse racing and breeding industry.
As part of the project, China's top agriculture graduates from Chinese universities will spend two months at Coolmore Stud in Co Tipperary learning the industry.
While Coolmore is involved in the initial venture, it is expected that there will be opportunities for many other Irish companies and individuals to participate in the project as it develops.
Minister Coveney said the project arises from the pre-eminent position that Ireland held in the thoroughbred breeding world.
The announcement marks the first Chinese government involvement with an overseas joint venture in horse racing and breeding.
