June 2, 2015

Dairy is China's most imported food item

Among food items, dairy has the highest estimated value of US$9.54 billion, according to a report by the Chinese ministry that regulates food imports, the AQSIQ.

Dairy is imported more than oils and seeds, which come in second at $9.45 billion. Aquatic products is third at $7.29 billion. At $6.46 billion, meat is China's fourth largest imported food import.

James O'Donnell of Bord Bia's Shanghai Office says that the report highlights the importance that imported food plays in the Chinese market and notes a slowdown in the overall value of food imports since 2012.

The report also highlights a stricter enforcement policy to deal with substandard items.

China imports food from over 192 countries, including the European Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), New Zealand and Australia, O'Donnell says.

He adds that China has announced plans to reduce customs duties for imported finished consumer foods, which with the lower value of the euro will prove advantageous for EU exporters.