Honey producer and exporter Comvita has signed a long term partnership with one of China's largest retail chains.

Olé has more than 100 supermarkets across mainland China.

The deal was signed during Prime Minister Chris Hipkin's visit to China last week.

Comvita chief executive David Banfield says the agreement aims to significantly grow Comvita's current revenue with Olé over the next few years.

It also includes a commitment to include a broad number of environmental, social and governance initiatives as part of the company's Harmony Plan, in a market first, he says.

"This strategic partnership is both commercially and philosophically significant.

"We have set out a plan to significantly grow our current business with the biggest premium retailer in China but have also agreed to achieve this in line with our Harmony Plan principles.

"This will result in significant benefits to consumers in China, shareholders, the planet and most importantly, bees."

Comvita's Harmony Plan is a sustainability initiative that involves the company becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and aiming to save more than 10 million bees every year.

Forsyth Barr analyst Margaret Bei says Olé is a premium supermarket chain with a focus on imported food and the deal will add to Comvita's revenue.

"The revenue impact is estimated to be in the millions," though Comvita has not quantified the expected earnings impact", she says.

Bei says the next key date for the company is its full year result in late August.

-RNZ.