MNI POLICY: China Will Increase Pork Supply Before October

By Wanxia Lin

     BEIJING (MNI) - China will release a further 10,000 tons of pork from

reserves before October in a bid to ensure pork supply -- curbed by the African

Swine Fever -- during the upcoming 7-day National Day holiday, Gao Feng,

spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce said at a briefing on Thursday. 

     "Meat supplies are sufficient, and prices will stabilize," said Gao, adding

that China has released a total of 20,000 tons of pork, 2,400 tons of beef and

1,900 tons of mutton from reserves so far in September.

     Here are other key points from the presser:

     - Chinese importers have bought "considerable amounts of" soy beans and

pork from the U.S., said Gao, declining to give the detailed figures. China will

continue to exempt extra tariffs for these purchases of American farm goods,

said Gao, urging the U.S. to work with China to expand cooperation in the

agricultural sector.

     - China and the U.S. will maintain close communication, and prepare for

making progress during the meetings in Washington next month, said Gao, without

disclosing further details.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: wanxia.lin@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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