December 04, 2003

China To Import At Least 6 Million Tons Argentina Soy in 2004
 

China, the world's top soybean buyer, will import at least 6 million tons of Argentine soy in 2004, the local Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday.

"China will import Argentine soy in similar quantities to the current campaign," said Agriculture Secretary Miguel Campos, who is in China on an official visit, according to a government news release.

Argentina, the world's third-largest soy producer after the United States and Brazil, has seen its exports to China rise to record levels. By September, China had bought 6 million tons of Argentine soy, according to government data.

The Agriculture Department also reported that Argentina will send a permanent agricultural attache to Beijing -- a step the country has taken only in Brussels, Brasilia and Washington.

Also, Argentina will participate in (China's low-tariff) import quotas set after January 1 for wheat, wheat flour, corn and wool, according to the release.