China Agriculture View

Cancer has become the bigest killer of human. Every year, numerous people died of cancer all over the world. So we need take care of our health and fight with cancer. Do you know some of vegetable are good for cancer-fighting? Now, let’s learn about them.

Broccoli has been shown to be useful in preventing breast cancer by altering the type of cancer-causing estrogen that the body produces. Broccoli sprouts are the most useful form of broccoli and are believed to help prevent colon and rectal cancers. The more bitter the broccoli, the healthier it is.

Raw carrots contain beta carotene, which may help reduce a range of cancers including lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intestine, bladder, prostate and breast. Unfortunately, you lose a lot of the benefits if the carrots are cooked. Stick to raw!

Garlic is rich in allicin that has immune-enhancing compounds that actually increase the activity of immune that slow down or prevent cancer development in the stomach, breast and esophagus. The sulphur compounds that give garlic its intense flavour have been shown to protect against cancer by neutralizing carcinogens. People who consume raw or cooked garlic regularly reduce drastically the risk of stomach cancer because garlic has anti-bacterial effects against certain bacteria that cause cancer there. To achieve full anti-cancer benefits, it is recommended that garlic is peeled, minced and cooked after 15 minutes.

Cooked tomatoes are high in antioxidants. A study by the National Cancer Institute found evidence from studies that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer. Lycopene, the antioxidant found in tomatoes is also found in watermelon, guavas and grapefruits.

Soy products like tofu could help prevent both breast and prostate cancer by blocking and suppressing cancerous growths. Soy appears to lower cancer risks by inhibiting the growth of cells and new blood vessels that tumors require to expand. Women who have breast cancer or are at high risk should talk to their doctors before increasing their consumption of soy products.

China will raise the minimum purchase price for wheat in the country’s major wheat and rice production regions in 2010, said the economic planner on Tuesday.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in an announcement on its website that the minimum purchase prices for white wheat and red wheat will be increased by 3 yuan (US$0.44) from the 2009 level to 90 yuan and 86 yuan for every 50 kg, respectively.

The move aimed to protect farmers’ interests and promote grain production, according to the NDRC.

(Xinhua News)

Rice is another main course besides wheat. But there are so many kinds of rice, they are very different from each other in shape, color, taste etc. And  every kind has its own feature and cooking method.Different people like the different kind rice.

All types of rice break down into two basic categories: whole grain rice and white rice. Whole grain rice has been minimally processed, so that it retains its nutrient rich husk. Because whole grain rice is not husked, it takes longer to cook, but it also tends to be more flavorful, aromatic, and colorful. Whole grain rice also has special storage considerations, as it can go rancid if it is kept at room temperature. White rice, on the other hand, has been processed so that the husk or bran is removed, and in some cases it may be polished to take the germ off as well. White rice requires less cooking, and it has a more mild flavor, but it also has less nutritional value, if this was a concern.

Broken Rice, during the milling process, broken rice is separated from the white rice, who shape remains intact. In other words, broken rice is the damaged white rice.A grain of broken rice gives a low fiber texture and low nutrient level, while retaining its high energy content.

White Rice belongs to the Indica (long-grain) category. It is also known as polished rice or fully milled rice because most of the outher layer-the husk and the bran layer-are removed from the kernel, through the milling process.Thai Jasmine White Rice, also called fragrant rice or “Hom Mali” rice, is recognized world wide as Thailand’s specialty.

Thai Jasmine Rice belongs to the indica (long-grain) category and could be devided into 3 main categories as A, B and C according to their quality; Prime Quality, Superb Quality and Premium Quality.

Brown Rice belongs to the indica (logn-grain), similar to white rice.The only difference between these two varieties is the milling. As a result, in brown rice, only the husk is removed while the bran layer remains.Because of the bran layer, brown rice contains more nutrients than white rice. In particular, Brown rice is very high in fiber and vitamin B.

Short Grain Rice belongs to the Japonica (short-grain) category and has short, round, and plumpy dernel. When cooked, short-grained rice is stick together, although not as much as glutinous rice.In Japanese and Korean cuisine, short-grained rice is primary consumed in every meal.

Rice should generally be washed before cooking, to remove pieces of plant material and residual material which may impact the flavor of the rice. Soaking can also cut down on the cooking time, although some recipes may call specifically for rice which is not soaked; in these instances, you should follow the directions of the recipe. Be aware that whole grain types of rice keeps best when stored under refrigeration and used within six months, while white rice can be stored at room temperature for up to a year, and sometimes longer.

 In 2009, the domestic cotton production is expected to decline, at 700 million tons, with the gradual improvement in exports of textile production, cotton production and demand gap has been expanded; Meanwhile, cotton prices in general will be higher than the previous year, but a large number of listing a number of new cotton the main producing areas are still downward pressure on prices.

It is understood that this year’s cotton pre-Miao Qing in general is better, but in late August to early September the Yangtze River basin consecutive disastrous weather, some impact on the growth of cotton. Ministry of Agriculture, the latest survey data show, this year’s cotton acreage of about 7592 acres, down about 1,000 mu, a reduction of over 10%.

National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Xiaoqiang, deputy director said, at present, the national cotton crop is growing basically the same as the previous year, if the recent weather conditions are normal, and strengthen the latter part of management, is expected to have a good harvest, the national cotton output is expected to 700 million tons. From the National Bureau of Statistics data show that in 2008, national cotton acreage 8640 acres, down 240 million mu; cotton output of 7.5 million tons, up has decreased by 12 million tons.

Prices, Zhang Xiaoqiang said that from the look throughout the year, due to cut production of cotton, cotton production and demand gap in the expansion of cotton farmers a higher price expectations, cotton prices in general are expected to be higher than the previous year. However, after the listing of large concentrations of new cotton, the domestic market, cotton prices are still downward pressure, especially in the higher concentration of Xinjiang’s cotton market, downward pressure on cotton prices higher.

Zhang Xiaoqiang said that the next step, the National Development and Reform Commission will further strengthen macro-control and maintain the basic stability of cotton prices and the market running smoothly. On the one hand, do a good job of cotton reserves control plans. If a large number of new cotton market fell over when the cotton price, timely manner through open bidding part of the cotton purchasing and storage. Such as market cotton prices rose too quickly, then throw in time savings, stable cotton prices to ensure the needs of textile and cotton.

At the meeting, reporters learned at the same time, from next year, the government will intensify efforts to promote small packet of cotton and its processing enterprises out of the market. From September 2010, the railway authorities to stop packets of cotton transport, the Agricultural Development Bank to stop providing loans to small packets of cotton processing enterprises, cancel cotton packet processing of cotton processing enterprises eligible.

OCEX Show Idea 

Concern – the natural ecological environment 
Experience – Organic Healthy Living 

The fifth OCEX the show concept, this exhibition will bring together organic food and green food, organic cosmetics, organic textiles, natural fibers, environmental protection and recycling companies to show a focused exhibition and promotion. 

OCEX Introduction

The People’s Republic of China by the Ministry of Commerce approved by the Ministry of Commerce Trade Development Bureau, the food group, 3 Lee Advertising and Exhibition Co., Ltd. co-sponsored the Fifth China International Fair for organic food and green food will be in October 2009, 20-22 China International Trade Center in Beijing, was held. 

 COFCO is China’s largest grain and oil food import and export business and the strength of the food manufacturers in the agriculture, food production and processing and food import and export industry occupies the leading position. OCEX a good background in the resource base, after a four-year accumulation, bringing together the resources and channels for the organic industry by strictly controlling the qualification exhibitors, attracted from home and abroad hundred organic food and green food production enterprises, distribution enterprises, certification bodies, information service institutions, associations groups with their own products, the project came to show, in particular, organic food and green food in China developed rapidly in areas such as Beijing, northeast China, Shandong, Jiangxi and other places have participate in the exhibition in the organic industry has set a professional exhibition’s lead. 

The  Fifth OCEX will be concerned about – the natural ecological environment and experience – an organic concept of healthy living exhibition, bringing together organic food and green food, organic cosmetics, organic textiles, natural fibers, environmental protection and recycling companies to show a focused exhibition and promotion. Exhibition will be held over the same period a series of professional activities: “Organic food and green food Trade Development Forum”, “China Organic Feast,” “Wine and Food Festival”, organic eco-tourism, professional exhibitions to promote activities to enrich the content. Trying to build through a series of professional activities of organic food and green food suppliers, buyers exchanges and cooperation in the bridge give full play to the Ministry of Commerce Trade Development Bureau, COFCO and other authoritative institutions and corporate giants advantage of the resources and channels to help overseas organic food enterprises to expand the Chinese market, looking for production and processing enterprises and agents, through a professional’s global campaign to bring overseas pavilions and buyers to assist the Chinese organic, green food enterprises to expand international and domestic markets.

With organic food, organic products in China, the rise of COFCO as an industry pioneer, will be at this show with the domestic and international organic industry colleagues to seize this good opportunity to jointly promote the development of China’s organic industry, to allow more consumer awareness of organic products, the use of organic products, will also love life, love implanted in the hearts of the earth’s environmental philosophy.

China’s imports of US soybeans are unlikely to be affected by a trade dispute between the two countries over exports of Chinese tires, said Li Ming, general manager of the agriculture trading and logistics department of China National Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Corp (COFCO).

Concern spread earlier this month that US tariffs imposed on tires from China would spark a retaliatory slowdown in purchases of US crops and farm products.

The US placed tariffs of 35 percent on tires from China early this month, acting on a union complaint that imports were pushing workers out of jobs.

Following the US actions, China announced a probe into the alleged dumping of American automotive and chicken products.

China is the biggest buyer of US soybeans and the second-largest importer of poultry and pork.

Soybean growers in the United States, the world’s biggest supplier, want to increase livestock feed sales to small landowners in rural China to help boost exports, the United Soybean Board reported.

China’s feed industry consumes about 100 million tons of protein meal annually, with half of that used by small land-holders who often feed table scraps to their chickens, hogs and dairy cows, said Thomas Wray, a director of the board that helps market US soybeans internationally.

Only about 30 percent of China’s protein meal needs are met with soybean meal, Wray said.

China’s untapped rural feed industry “is the largest meal market in the world,” Wray, a Kansas soybean grower, said during a recent interview in Cebu in the Philippines.

“It’s a huge opportunity. What we’ve got to do is to continue to educate the rural part of China on how to feed their animals,” he said.

US growers are counting on expansion of the world’s third-largest economy to boost demand for meat and to encourage China’s farmers to switch to feed-meals to lift productivity. Soybean futures have dropped 21 percent since the end of May on a forecast for record US output in the 2009-10 marketing year.

China’s economy expanded 7.9 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, fueled in part by 4 trillion yuan in stimulus spending.

In 2008, bilateral trade amounted to $333.74 billion, making China and the United States each other’s second-largest trading partners.

In the past five years, American exports to China grew by 20 percent annually. Last year, China accounted for 49 percent and 34 percent of American soybean and cotton exports, respectively.

COFCO, the country’s largest oil and food producer, plans to build a soybean processing plant in southwestern China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region with a capacity of 1.2 million tons a year, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.

The report, citing sources familiar with the project valued at 1.85 billion yuan, stated that construction would likely be in Qinzhou in the Beibu Gulf economic zone.

In April, COFCO opened a 4 billion yuan oil-pressing project in Tianjin.

China’s major edible oil producers, including Sino Grain Oils & Fats Industrial Co and Jilin Grain Group, also plan to open new factories to boost capacity.

Per capita edible oil consumption is 14.5 kilograms a year in China.

In 2007, only 44 percent of capacity was in operation, and many of the closures were plants with a daily capacity below 1,000 tons, according to the report.

The Chinese government encouraged a restructuring of the industry to form some big companies that would have better logistics and port facilities, Liu Xiaonan, a commission official, said at a soy conference last month.

Liu said the government was encouraging soy plants to sign long-term contracts to ensure supplies because China relies heavily on imports.

A US-Chinese trade row threatened to spill over into soybeans on Thursday when a government researcher said US beans were being dumped in China.

But those in the industry said China was very unlikely to restrict shipments of its main agricultural import from its top supplier.

“The US government gives large amounts of subsidies to its farmers and dumps soybeans in China,” Chen Dongqi, vice-head of the macroeconomic institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a conference.

He suggested the United States was guilty of double standards after slapping a 35 percent punitive tariff on China-produced tyres this week. China hit back by saying it will investigate U.S. shipments of auto parts and chicken meat.

China imported a record 29.9 million tonnes of soybeans in the first eight months of the year, around 40 percent of which originated in the United States.

A senior manager at COFCO, China’s top food importer and exporter, confirmed that China had already looked into taking action on US subsidies for soybeans shipped to China.

“This proposal was raised earlier in the year. China’s government is quite rational on the issue. The government doesn’t want to have a trade war. It’s keeping calm over the issue,” said Li Ming, COFCO’s assistant president and general manager of COFCO Agri Trading and Logistics.

China has attracted record import volumes this year thanks to the government’s stockpiling campaign, in which it offers to buy local crops to shore up farmers’ incomes. That in turn sets a minimum price, opening the door to a flood of imports when global prices are lower.

But tariffs on US soy are unlikely. China was already dependent on cheap and plentiful foreign supplies even before a long drought hit its major growing regions in the northeast.

“There is no other source of cheap soybeans except the United States until at least March or April,” said Nobuyuki Chino, president of Tokyo-based grains trading company Unipac Grain. In later months, beans from Brazil and Argentina make up the bulk of imports.

“Even if the US government has imposed duties on Chinese tyres, I don’t think they will take such an action,” he added. China might be keen to retaliate against Washington, but hitting the soybean sector would not be the right way to go about it, a Chinese analyst said.

“The soybean trade volume has reached around $10 billion now, while tyre exports amounted to $2.2 billion, so China won’t choose soybeans to protest against the United States,” said Qin Pei at Guangtong Futures.

China’s concerns are not new. Beijing conducted a study into US farm subsidies last year but concluded that safeguard tariffs on soy imports would be impossible. It has since issued subsidies to its own soybean growers and crushers.

China remains uneasy about what it sees as a growing willingness on the part of the United States to resort to trade barriers.

Premier Wen Jiabao vowed in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Dalian last week that China would “fight resolutely” against all kinds of protectionism.

However the risk of tit-for-tat measures remains, with China already launching new anti-dumping investigations against US poultry and auto product imports.

China has filed just five complaints to the WTO, three of which have taken place in the last year. It has been the respondent in 16 complaints.

Source: Reuters

China’s weekly state soybean auctions failed to attract bidders in Jilin and Inner Mongolia, with only 15,500 tonnes of soybeans sold in northeast Heilongjiang, or 3.1 percent of the total volume offered.

The highest price paid was 3,790 yuan ($555.3) per tonne, down nearly 100 yuan compared with last week, when the market was concerned about a drought in the major soy-growing area of northeast China.

“It came as no surprise to the market,” said Xia Tian, a dealer at Zhejiang Yongan Futures. “Buyers won’t have interest in domestic soy reserves unless the U.S. soybean price goes up by $12 per tonne. Crushers hold enough stocks of imported soybeans. They can wait for the new soybean harvest.”

Beijing set the bidding price for domestic soy reserves at 3,750 yuan per tonne, about 4 percent higher than the U.S. crop for next January’s shipment.

“China has to sell the state reserves at the current price, otherwise it will suffer a loss as the government purchased soybeans from farmers at 3,700 yuan per tonne last year,” said Dong Shuangwei, an analyst at Capital Futures.

China has started to sell state soy reserves as part of efforts to reduce stockpiles and free storage ahead of the new domestic harvest, due next month, but only 85,300 tonnes were sold out of the large state reserves in the nine auctions.

China purchased about 7.3 million tonnes of soybeans for state reserves last year.

“The market is closely watching the overseas markets and controversial forecasts of a fall in output, ranging from 4 percent to 20 percent. However, as Beijing has enough reserves at hand and it has a policy of supporting farmers, the domestic soybean market will have a limited decline,” said Dong.

The following table shows the results of soybean auctions starting from July (volumes are in tonnes, prices in yuan per tonne):

Date Volume sold Highest price Volume

September 16 15,500 3,790 500,000

September 9 29,300 3,880 500,000

September 2 10,600 3,820 500,000

August 26 9,600 3,750 500,000

August 19 400 3,750 500,000

August 12 15,000 3,800 500,000

August 5 4,900 3,790 500,000

July 29 no bidders 500,000

July 23 no bidders 500,000

Total 85,300

Source: www.grainmarket.com.cn.