January 22, 2008
 

China's grain exports to neighboring countries soar in 2007
 

China's grain exports to neighbouring countries soar in 2007 according to figures from the General Administration of Customs released Tuesday (January 22, 2008).

Japan and South Korea absorbed significantly more grains from China as prices in the Americas rose.

China's wheat exports to South Korea for the year rose 143 percent to 986,200 tonnes while Japan saw a 222 percent increase to 16,947 tonnes.

If the rise in wheat export volumes to these two countries look significant, the rise in corn exports look even more so. Corn exports to South Korea rose 62 percent to 3.3 million tonnes while that to Japan rose 60 percent to 4.9 million tonnes for the 2007 year. Exports to both countries saw steep drops of about 90 percent in December as China lifted export rebates and sought to impose taxes on exports. 

China also saw huge demand for its soymeal, as exports for the year rose 122 percent to 850,060 tonnes. The increase was similarly notable in South Korea whose import of Chinese soymeal rose 190 percent to 138,356 tonnes while that for Japan rose 87 percent to 572,401 tonnes. Malaysia and Vietnam, previously small volume buyers, also increased their imports nearly a hundred fold to 28,415 tonnes and 43,340 tonnes respectively. 

Rapeseed meal exports saw a 93 percent increase for the year, totaling 93,716 tonnes. This was especially frantic in December when exports rose 38-fold to 20,412 tonnes.

In December South Korea increased its rapeseed meal imports 10-fold to 8,040 tonnes while Japan raised its imports 16-fold to 1,260 tonnes 

South Korea saw a 74-fold increase in rapeseed meal imports from China for the year while Japan saw a 98-percent increase to 45,054 tonnes. 

In addition, China's barley export for the year totaled 118,270 tonnes, rising more than 20-fold.