Photo: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Bolivia.
According to a report by América Economía, on Wednesday, March 19, Wang Lingjun, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, and Yamil Flores, Minister of Rural Development and Lands of Bolivia, signed a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for the export of sorghum from Bolivia to China. It is worth noting that sorghum is a cereal consumed both by animals and humans and can be used in the production of beverages and forage.
Distinguished personalities also attended this meeting, including the Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia, Wang Liang; Bolivia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration, Huáscar Ajata; Bolivia’s Ambassador to China, Hugo Siles; and the President of Bolivia’s National Customs Office, Karina Serrudo.
During the signing, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Flores stated that this document opens new opportunities to develop and expand the income of Bolivia’s agricultural workers and producers. He also mentioned that the document does not establish a limit on sorghum exports, which could be beneficial for exporters, as they will be able to send large quantities, just as happened with chia, whose exports to China will now exceed 20,000 tons.
This protocol establishes the phytosanitary conditions necessary to ensure that exported sorghum meets all the required standards to enter the Chinese market. In 2024, according to Bolivia’s Ministry of Rural Development and Lands, the country exported 8,586 tons of this product, representing a value of 3.6 million dollars. The largest importers of Bolivian sorghum were Argentina, with 61%, and Chile, with 38% of the total. Regarding China, the country imported 7.6 million tons of sorghum globally, paying 315 dollars per ton.
During the 2022-2023 agricultural period, Bolivia produced 886,443 tons of sorghum, of which approximately 1% was exported. Now, with entry into the Chinese market, exports are expected to increase significantly. In Bolivia, the region that produces the most sorghum is the department of Santa Cruz.
Finally, the signing of the phytosanitary protocol for sorghum exports represents another step in the commercial and economic relationship between the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the People's Republic of China, countries that this year will fulfill 40 years of diplomatic relations.
Main Source:
Bolivia cada vez más cerca de exportar sorgo a China tras firmar protocolo de requisitos fitosanitarios – América Economía
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