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On June 8, 2022, China’s National Crop Variety Registration Committee (NCVRC) published “National Registration Standards for Genetically Engineered Soybean Varieties (Trial)” and “National Registration Standards for Genetically Engineered Corn...

On May 11, 2022 the National Health Commission (NHC) approved 36 new food materials and additives, including seven enzymes derived from Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMMs). These approvals follow an earlier announcement issued on March 1 of 32 food materials and additives, including 4 GMM derived enzymes, approved for use in China.

On April 24, 2022, China’s National Feed Industry Standardization Technical Committee issued a notice to collect industry input and suggestions on the establishment or amendment of national pet food standards.

In 2022, China's raw milk production is forecast to reach 39.65 million metric tons due to a larger herd and production efficiency gains. China’s zero-COVID policy is expected to remain unchanged for the foreseeable future. In 2022, the resurgence of COVID-19 and government restrictions, such as lockdowns, are expected to impact dairy and dairy product distribution and use.

This report contains a simplified description of facility registration under Decree 248 and answers to frequently asked questions. The most recent list of commodities covered by Decree 248 is attached to the report.

In 2021, Chinese imports of alfalfa pellets hit record levels of 52,254 metric tons (MT) and $13.66 million by value, increases of 62 percent and 70 percent respectively. The market is dominated by Spanish-origin pellets.

On May 23, 2022, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Brazil held High-Level Committee talks. According to the press release issued by the PRC’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on May 24, the talks included several agricultural-related outcomes including, improved and new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) market access protocols for corn and hulled peanuts along with plans for new SPS protocols on soy protein concentrate, soybean meal, and orange fiber pellets that may be signed later.

Several Chinese provinces are experimenting with the utilization of nine Chinese medicines, including American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), for use in food products. The pilot programs are open through November 2022. At this time, American ginseng is regulated as a traditional medicinal product. If American ginseng is approved for use in food products, this could create additional opportunity for both imported product and spur domestic production.

On May 10, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued the “14th Five-Year Plan for Bioeconomic Development,” with the intention to accelerate breakthroughs and achieve scientific and technological self-reliance in four key areas of bioeconomic development, including bio-agriculture and bioenergy.

A recent industry survey in one of China’s leading provinces for textile and apparel manufacturing highlights the negative impact of the PRC’s zero-tolerance COVID policy in the world’s largest cotton market and area economy. According to survey results, production estimates are down, costs are higher, and deliveries are delayed.

Ranked No.1 in both the facility registration by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) and the feed product registration by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), the United States accounts for 20 percent of Chinese imported pet food market share and is poised to expand.

On April 29, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the issuance of new and renewed biosafety certificates for genetically engineered (GE) events.