China makes largest winter wheat purchase since 2004

China has purchased 110,000 metric tons of soft red winter wheat from the U.S., the Asian country's largest purchase of that type of wheat since January 2004 and likely due to a smaller domestic crop, according to the U.S. government. The wheat will probably be used for food, and is not expected to cut into China's U.S. corn purchases.
China may see its first year-on-year decline in wheat production in a decade following drought in a key wheat growing area and the spread of yield-cutting disease, say analysts. The current U.S. Department of Agriculture estimate for a 120-million-metric-ton Chinese wheat crop may be overstated by 10 million metric tons or more. Crop losses could spur China to import up to 5 million metric tons of wheat this season from all sources, double the current USDA forecast for the 2012–2013 season and up from 3 million metric tons in 2011–2012, said traders.

China-UK trade deal to benefit poultry, pig producers

China and the UK have signed a number of agricultural agreements that will allow poultry products from the UK return to the Chinese market. The resumption of UK poultry exports will be worth approximately GBP10 million (US$16 million) annually.
China banned the UK’s poultry exports in early 2007 following an outbreak of avian influenza H5N1 on a turkey farm. China had been a top 20 importer of UK poultry products, importing 1,964 metric tons of meat and offal between January and November 2006.
As part of the discussions, five processing plants have been authorized to export pork products to China, worth some GBP25 million (US$40 million) annually.

US-China Joint Commission resolutions will increase market access for US farmers, ranchers

The latest session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade resulted in several initiatives and resolutions, including seven new agreements covering agricultural issues.
Agricultural collaboration, soybean exports, statistics and promotion of investment in the United States were among the topics discussed, and the beef market was of particular interest to both countries. “I am pleased with the progress made today towards resolving our differences on beef access," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Technical talks will resume as soon as possible with the goal of re-opening China’s market in early 2011. This is a vital outcome for our farmers and ranchers, underscoring the importance of the JCCT in providing a forum for our stakeholders.”
In addition to agriculture, the JCCT covered intellectual property rights enforcement, neutral technology standards, clean energy and government procurement.

China reinstates swine trade with Canada

Canadian Swine Exporters Association announced that negotiations are finalized and trade in purebred swine genetics can now resume in China after the Chinese government halted importation last May due to H1N1 concerns.
“It has been a strenuous twelve months for the Genetics Industry in Canada; we are delighted about the latest news,” said Rosemary Smart, the executive director of the CSEA.
It is anticipated that $30 million in live pig exports will transpire in the coming year, according to the CSEA.

China launches anti-dumping probe into US chicken

China is launching anti-dumping and anti-subsidies investigations into American exports of automotive products and chicken meat, China's Ministry of Commerce announced on September 13.
The Chinese government said the above investigations are being held to answer early complaints from domestic poultry producers.