China to resume Indian rapeseed imports, first in 3 years

Rapeseed fields in Chishang Township of Taitung County, southeast China's Taiwan [Xinhua]

Rapeseed fields in Chishang Township of Taitung County, southeast China’s Taiwan [Xinhua]

China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) on Wednesday announced the lifting of a ban on imports of rapeseed meal from fellow BRICS member India.

This follows a successful China trip by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, said a statement posted on the website of the Chinese inspection authority.

China imported Indian oilseeds worth $161 million in 2011 before halting purchases from January 2012 after tests showed some cargoes were contaminated with malachite green, a dye widely used in India to brand grain sacks.

China bans malachite green from ingredients used to produce animal feed.

Indian rapeseed meal tends to suffer from quality issues, but it is cheaper than both Canadian and domestic Chinese supplies.

India’s trade deficit, difference between exports and imports, with China has ballooned to a massive $37.85 billion in 2014, according to recent data released by Beijing.

The Indian government has already announced the creation of Chinese industrial parks that will augment investments coming from that country and will help reduce the trade gap.

During a high-powered trip to Beijing and Shanghai last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the inking of 24 cooperation agreements between China and India in areas including mining, railways, industrial parks, urbanization.

 

TBP and Agencies

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