MNI POLICY: Virus Won't Halt China's Food Imports: MOFCOM

     BEIJING (MNI) - Increased food and agricultural product imports remains an

important part of China's trade policy, despite some reports suggesting imported

salmon was contaminated with the Covid-19 virus, a government official

spokesperson said Thursday. 

     "China will strengthen communication with relevant countries, control the

quality of imported food and ensure the health and safety of Chinese consumers,"

Gao Feng, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce told the press at a regular

briefing. 

     Gao didn't directly answer if China may temporarily suspend imports of meat

and seafood transported by refrigerated means. 

     New Covid-19 cases have picked up in Beijing, with the virus was apparently

discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at Xinfadi, the capital's

largest wholesale food market, leading authorities to shut it down along with

several other markets. The Ministry is coordinating with surrounding provinces

and major SOEs to help increase the supply of vegetables, grain and cooking oil

stocks, as well as releasing 10,000 tons of reserve pork, Gao said.

     --RISING PRICES

     On June 17, the average retail price of a basket of vegetables monitored by

the MOFCOM increased 4.7% from the previous day, said Gao. 

     Pork prices were unchanged on the previous day, while the prices of beef,

mutton and eggs rose 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively.

     The prices of rice, flour and edible oil have not changed significantly

given stable supplies, Gao added.

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

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 10 8532 5998; email: william.bi@mni-news.com

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

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