Agriculture & Food

Since the beginning of this year, the significant growth of agricultural product exports from multiple regions has become a new highlight of foreign trade. Customs data shows that Henan's agricultural product exports from January to May were 8.5 billion yuan, an increase of 25.5%. Customs data shows that canned vegetables exported were 3.47 billion yuan, an increase of 71%; Guangdong's agricultural product exports increased by 27.1%, with customs data showing that exports of dried and fresh fruits and vegetables increased by 52.1% and 22.3%, respectively. At the same time, many regions have also made significant breakthroughs in the import of agricultural products. Customs data shows that from January to May, the import of agricultural products in Shandong Province reached 68.68 billion yuan, an increase of 14.8%, with the import value of soybeans and aquatic products increasing by 20.4% and 34.2% respectively; Heilongjiang's import of agricultural products reached 11.34 billion yuan, an increase of 47.5%, accounting for 12.4% of the total import value of the province; The import of agricultural products in Zhejiang Province reached 43.76 billion yuan, an increase of 30.8%, including 6.22 billion yuan in imports of dried, fresh fruits, and nuts, an increase of 26.6%.

According to customs data released by the General Administration of Customs recently, China's agricultural products achieved dual growth in import and export from January to May, with a total import and export volume of 142.7 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 7.4%. Among them, exports reached 39.86 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 3.3%; Imports reached $102.83 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%. The interviewed experts believe that the development of China's agricultural trade not only contributes high-quality agricultural products to the world, but also meets the needs of domestic consumers for a better life.

Both imports and exports continue to maintain a positive momentum

"At present, there are three main reasons for China's agricultural products export to maintain a good growth momentum." Wang Xuejun, a professor of the School of Economics and Management of Nanjing Agricultural University, analyzed to the reporter of the International Business Daily. First, China is guiding the flow of production factors to the advantageous agricultural production field, stimulating the vitality of foreign trade entities and improving the competitiveness of agricultural products through various forms and multi-channel export promotion measures such as the construction of high-quality trade development bases; Second, regional economic and trade cooperation such as RCEP and the "the Belt and Road" initiative has provided a broader export market for China's agricultural products. The demand of emerging markets for China's agricultural products has promoted the sustained growth of agricultural exports; Thirdly, while labor-intensive products such as horticulture and aquaculture in China have competitive advantages in the international market, the competitive advantage of capital intensive deep processed food agricultural products is gradually becoming prominent, becoming a new growth point for China's agricultural product exports.

In the view of Lin Faqin, a professor at the School of Economics and Management of China Agricultural University, the gradual recovery of the COVID-19 epidemic has enabled foreign trade in agricultural products to continue in a safer and more stable state. At the same time, the continuous recovery of global market demand has also opened up channels for China's agricultural product exports. In addition, the positive spillovers of national policies such as the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" and the high standard construction of the free trade zone network not only enable leading enterprises to stride out, but also enable small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises to dare to go out. "These are important reasons for China's agricultural exports to maintain a good growth momentum".

Wang Xuejun believes that the main reason for the growth trend of agricultural product imports is the steady growth of domestic consumer demand. Affected by the expected improvement in the economic situation and the boost in demand, relevant enterprises have increased imports to fill inventory and meet the recovering market demand. At the same time, some previously suppressed consumer demand has also been released, and consumers' frequency of dining out has increased, and their demand for diversified food is also increasing

When it comes to the benefits brought by agricultural product imports, Lin Faqin said: on the one hand, agricultural product imports can stabilize the domestic agricultural product market prices and supply and demand balance, prevent abnormal price fluctuations in the agricultural product market, and ensure consumer experience; On the other hand, it can also meet the diverse dietary consumption needs of consumers, improve their quality of life, and make them eat more nutritious, healthy, and environmentally friendly.

Efforts from multiple parties to promote high-quality development

How to continue promoting high-quality development of agricultural product foreign trade?

In Lin Faqin's view, promoting the better "going out" and "introducing" of agricultural products requires the joint efforts of multiple parties. As for the government, it is necessary to do a good job in agricultural product economic statistics and prediction supervision, provide correct guidance for agricultural product import and export, maintain the safety of the agricultural product market, fully understand the operating mechanism of the agricultural product market, formulate effective agricultural policies and reasonable safety standards for agricultural product import and export. While vigorously developing local advantageous agricultural product industries, coordinate the production and introduction of weak agricultural products, and do a good job in natural disaster prevention.

For enterprises, Lin Faqin believes that they should have a keen market sense, understand the actual needs of consumers, and make accurate market judgments. Leading backbone enterprises should play a leading role in driving and fully activating the upstream and downstream markets of the agricultural product value chain; Small and medium-sized enterprises should, on the basis of maintaining their normal operations, pursue maximum economic growth and scale enhancement, and create a rich and diverse range of agricultural product categories and well-known brands.

It is also imperative for farmers in the fields to actively carry out green transformation and upgrading of agricultural production, such as reducing pesticide residues, cultivating organic agricultural products, and providing high-quality goods for the market. This can not only ensure local demand but also overcome technical barriers to agricultural product exports, "said Lin Faqin.

Wang Xuejun believes that in terms of agricultural product imports, on the one hand, it is necessary to expand the breadth of agricultural product imports and adapt to the diversified demand for agricultural product imports in the transformation and upgrading of consumption; On the other hand, we need to optimize the import structure of agricultural products, increase the proportion of high-tech and high value-added agricultural products imported, and meet the needs of promoting the transformation and upgrading of the agricultural industry. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the tracking and research of domestic and foreign agricultural production and trade situations, improve the monitoring and early warning system of agricultural product trade, avoid the uncertainty brought by international market fluctuations, and enhance the controllability of important agricultural product import supply chains.

At the same time, in promoting the export of agricultural products, Wang Xuejun stated that on the one hand, we need to optimize the supply chain of agricultural products, promote the production and export of high value-added processed products, and enhance international competitiveness through high-quality and competitive pricing; On the other hand, we need to increase support for the development of advantageous agricultural product brands and enhance the recognition and influence of processed agricultural product brands in overseas markets. In addition, we need to enhance China's voice and influence in the formulation and revision of international standards in the agricultural field, and promote agricultural export enterprises to better participate in international competition. (Translated from: International Business Daily)