ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured access to China\u2019s maize market, opening a potential new outlet for one of the country\u2019s major cereal crops after Chinese customs published the quarantine rules governing the trade. China\u2019s customs administration set out the requirements in an announcement, allowing imports of Pakistani maize with immediate effect. The measure activates a phytosanitary protocol agreed between the two sides under Pakistan\u2019s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Thursday. DNA
\nPakistani trade officials have cast China as a significant opportunity for the country\u2019s growers and exporters, pointing to Chinese maize imports of around 26 million tonnes \u2014 worth some $9 billion in 2023 \u2014 driven by a large livestock and feed industry.Maize is Pakistan\u2019s third-largest cereal crop after wheat and rice, and China would add to existing buyers such as Vietnam.
\nUnder the rules, eligible maize must be grown in Pakistan and used only for processing, not planting. Growing areas across the country qualify. Shipments will not start at once. Pakistani growing, processing and storage facilities must first be registered with Chinese customs, which will publish a list of approved firms.
\nThe rules name 16 pests that consignments must be free of, including khapra beetle, and require fumigation where live insects are found. Cargoes lacking valid certificates, from unregistered firms, or carrying soil or unapproved genetically modified content will be returned or destroyed.
\nThe decision is the latest in a run of farm market-access steps between the two countries over the past year, from dried fruit and nuts to medicinal plants, as they mark 75 years of diplomatic ties and deepen agricultural cooperation under a maturing economic partnership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured access to China\u2019s maize market, opening a potential new outlet for one of the country\u2019s major cereal crops after Chinese customs published the quarantine rules governing the trade. China\u2019s customs administration set out the requirements in an announcement, allowing imports of Pakistani maize with immediate effect. The measure activates a phytosanitary […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-555503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n