Exports of China's agricultural products slowed in the first half, and agricultural trade deficit expanded, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Commerce.

 

The slowdown was expected to continue due to technical barriers, including the Positive List System introduced by Japan to impose much stricter standards on residues in agricultural products, said the ministry.

 

Figures from Chinese customs show that in the first half, agricultural exports reached US$14.07 billion, with the growth rate dropping from 22.5 percent in the same period last year to 9.3 percent.

 

Meanwhile, imports of farm produce climbed 21.6 percent to US$16.22 billion, leading to a deficit of US$2.15 billion.

 

According to the Ministry of Commerce, technical barriers, especially the Positive List System, resulted in a slump in agricultural exports to Japan.

 

Fear of animal epidemics brought down exports of poultry and livestock products.

 

China's imports of agricultural products were also predicted to slow in the second half, mainly due to domestic supply increases of grain, sugar and other major agricultural products.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2006)