December 26, 2007

China seafood exports slowing due to excessive pesticide content

China exported around 2.45 million tonnes of seafood in the first ten months of 2007, valued at US$7.75 billion, registering the slowest growth rate since 1999.

The slow pace of exports is blamed on the excessive content of pesticide in China's aquatic products exported to the US.

US started imposing restrictions on imports of four varieties of seafood from China at the beginning of June 2007.

The EU, Japan and South Korea followed suit by imposing stricter control over Chinese aquatic exports.

Furthermore, the Chinese Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Departments strengthened the inspection and quarantine of seafood, some local quality control authorities even suspended exports of several varieties of aquatic products around October.