September 24, 2013

In a move to help meet robust domestic demand for the oilseed, China has allowed crushers to import rapeseed from Russia through a border city.

Some 200,000 tonnes of rapeseed would be imported this year via the inland city of Manzhouli, bordering Russia and China's Inner Mongolia region, the Manzhouli government said in a report posted on its website.

China previously allowed imports of rapeseed only from three countries: Canada, Australia and Mongolia.

China's rapeseed imports in May and June 2013-14 was forecast to hit a record 3.59 million tonnes, up 54% from 2012-13, but still far below its annual crushing capacity, which has hit six million tonnes annually this year, according to the China National Grain and Oils Information Centre.