File photo of piglets at a hog operation in China. (KuLouKu/iStock/Getty Images)

China encourages firms to raise pigs overseas

Officials aim to plug domestic pork shortage

Beijing | Reuters — China said Monday it is encouraging companies to build pig farms overseas to plug a severe domestic pork shortage after a worse-than-ever African swine fever slashed almost half of its pig herd. China has urged local authorities to support qualified domestic firms to “go out,” and build hog farming bases in […] Read more


A BASF scientist examines transgenic corn plants. (BASF.com)

China approves two new GM crops from U.S. for import

Beijing | Reuters — China approved two new genetically modified (GM) crops for import on Monday that could boost agricultural purchases from the United States, while renewing permits for 10 others, the Chinese agriculture ministry said. Earlier this month, Beijing and Washington announced a Phase 1 trade deal, under which China has agreed to import […] Read more


Even with exemption, U.S. soy can’t compete with Brazil, say traders.
 Photo: Reuters/Paulo Whitaker

China’s soy crushers in no rush to buy from U.S.

Beijing | Reuters – Despite the carrot of a potential exemption from import tariffs, Chinese soybean crushers are unlikely to buy in bulk from the United States any time soon as they grapple with poor margins and longer-term doubts about Sino-U.S. trade relations, people familiar with the matter said. China imposed a 25 per cent […] Read more