Observer Report
Beijing
China is trying to increase its import of agricultural products from Pakistan, so as to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries.
There are some special arrangements for some goods. Recently, Pakistan has obtained a quota of 300,000 tons of sugar to export to China, reports China Economic Net on Monday.
According to the report, currently 80% of the world’s sugar comes from sugarcane and 20% from beet. Pakistan’s sugar is mainly produced from sugarcane. Pakistan is rich in raw materials for sugar production and their quality is relatively good.
On the other hand, China’s sugar manufacturing equipment and technologies are far more advanced.
If Pakistani producers want to improve sugar quality and increase export, it was suggested they should import relevant equipment and technologies from China or establish joint ventures with Chinese partners, so as to improve the country’s international competitiveness.
China has a large population, and Chinese people like to eat fruits. Now, China has become the largest importer of agricultural products. In 2018, it imported 137.1 billion U.S. dollars of agricultural products, including 4.86 million tons of fresh fruits, with an increase of 26%, and the volume increased by 36% reaching 7 billion U.S. dollars.
It may be mentioned here that in the past, China imported a large number of fruits from India and Australia.
Due to the recent outbreak of a virus in India, China has suspended the import of fruits from India for the time being. Due to the high price of Australian fruits and some other reasons, China may also reduce the import of fruits from Australia.
At the same time, Pakistan mango, citrus and kinnow have successively obtained market access in China. As a result, Pakistan has got an opportunity to significantly increase its export of fruits to China.
Pakistan does not play an important role in China’s foreign trade. China’s export to Pakistan accounts for less than 1% of China’s total export, while China’s import from Pakistan only accounts for about 0.01% of China’s total import.
But considering the relationship between the two countries and China’s wish to help Pakistan strengthen its financial position, China is trying to import as much from Pakistan as possible.
As long as Pakistan’s agricultural products, especially fruits, are of good quality, the Chinese markets are fully open to Pakistan, the report added.
