China will import more than 400,000 metric tons of forage from Mongolia next year to copewith the growing demand for dairy and other high-protein products, officials said onWednesday.
Shipments have already started with eight trucks carrying 200 tons of forage reaching theZuunkhadavchi Land Port of Xilin Gol League in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomousregion on Wednesday. This is also the first time that China is importing forage from Mongolia.
Since Mongolia's eastern region is rich in stockbreeding resources, the government of XilinGol League signed an agreement with three Mongolian provinces－Omnogovi, Dornogovi andSuhbaatar－to import forage.
China will import 100,000 tons of forage from Mongolia by the end of this year and the annualimport volume of forage is expected to exceed 400,000 tons in 2016.
Limited by its poor forage crop production, China used to import forage from the United Statesand Australia to support its stockbreeding industry. Rising prices of imported forage, alfalfaand corn silage have affected the nation's raw milk output in the past two years. Most of theChinese dairy farms lack access to quality feed for their cattle and cows.
"Since most of the farmland in China is used for growing grains and vegetables, thecultivation of forage crops is far behind that of developed countries. The country largelydepends on imported forage and alfalfa to supply domestic dairy and cattle farms," saidNavchimaa, deputy head of Dong Ujimqin Banner of Xilin Gol League.
She said demand for milk, beef and mutton in China's western region, particularly in theNingxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, and Qinghai and Gansu provinces, hasgrown in the past five years, as it is becoming more expensive to raise cattle and cows inwestern China, where the economy and livestock industry are less developed than in theeastern provinces.
Due to the limited grazing lands and breeding cycle, China's sheep breeding sector has alsolagged behind consumer demand, resulting in higher lamb prices over the past five years,according to a report released by Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences inJune.
Eager to meet domestic demand for various foodstuffs, the Chinese government hasincreased international trade in food products through trading arrangements such as freetrade agreements or non-tariff deals for certain agricultural products with its trading partnersin Central Asia, Europe and South America.
"As China has found it impossible to grow all of the food it needs and has consequentlyformed closer ties with its trade partners, demand for dairy products, beef and mutton willcertainly provide many opportunities for forage suppliers and other agricultural businesses inMongolia," said B Bayanmagnai, director of Mongolia's Bichigt Custom district.
Under the agreement, Xilin Gol League and Mongolia will also start horse trading in eachother's land ports. The two sides plan to trade 20,000 horses next year, as well as open moremarket channels for breeding cattle and sheep.
Source: China Daily
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