September 5, 2013

China to approve corn imports from Brazil

China is expected to approve corn imports from Brazil, a decision which will permit grain shipments in 2013 and 2014.

"The process is complex and lengthy because it involves information and questionnaires, which have to be filed in Mandarin, with descriptions of diseases, that there are in Brazil... We expect that to be sorted out this year," said Benedito Rosa, the director of Brazil's Department of Trade Affairs of the International Relations Secretariat of the Ministry.

A few years ago, China went from being a net exporter of corn to becoming a key importer of the grain. Its acquisition of corn from international markets has increased each year. In 2012-13, imports totalled three million tonnes. In 2013/14, the amount is expected to rise to seven million tonnes.

Brazil has increased its corn production by 60% in the last 10 years, to a record of 80 million tonnes in 2012-13.

Almost all the corn imported by China comes from the US. According to the director of the Agriculture Ministry, it would take some time for Brazilian companies to have a relationship as close as the Chinese have with US exporters.

Brazil exported a record 20 million tonnes of corn in 2012 due to a drop in production by the US, the world's largest supplier.