China: Planting Seeds Annual Report

China is the second largest market for planting seeds after the United States. It is self-sufficient in planting seeds for grains, but imports some grass, vegetable, and fruit seeds. China is the United States’ second largest export market for seeds, fruit and spores for planting (HTS 1209) after Mexico. On November 4, 2015, the National People’s Congress (NPC) approved amendments to China’s Seed Law. This is the first change to the legislation since it was enacted in 2000. The revised law reduces the number of crops subject to variety registration requirements from 28 to five and creates a variety record system. The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) is currently working on developing implementing regulations. Domestic hybrid corn seed production rebounded 12 percent in 2015 following a sharp drop in production in 2014. Cotton seed production fell sharply as falling cotton acreage hurt demand. Seed imports in 2015 were relatively stable. However, grass seed imports are expected to fall in coming years due to a slowdown in the property market and restrictions on golf courses.


China: Planting Seeds Annual Report - 2015