Articles by Dominique Patton | Alberta Farmer Express

Irritated trade partners push back on China’s coronavirus food tests

Canada rips testing as 'unjustified trade restrictions'

By Dominique Patton, emma-farge, GFM Network News November 18, 2020

Beijing/Geneva | Reuters — Major food-producing countries are growing increasingly frustrated with China’s scrutiny of imported products and are calling on it to stop aggressive testing for the coronavirus, which some say is tantamount to a trade restriction. China says it has found the virus on the packaging of products from 20 countries including German […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

China targets pork self-sufficiency rate of 95 per cent

Imported beef increasing in market share

By Dominique Patton, GFM Network News September 29, 2020

Beijing | Reuters — China is aiming to produce 95 per cent of its pork at home, according to a cabinet document outlining plans for its livestock sector, underscoring a goal to quickly rebuild its huge pig herd after a major disease epidemic. The document, released on Sunday, comes amid a heightened focus on food […] Read more

General, Markets, Reuters

Food exporters to China asked to declare produce coronavirus-free

Declaration puts onus on exporters for product safety

By Dominique Patton, GFM Network News June 19, 2020

Beijing | Reuters — China’s customs authority has asked food exporters to the country to sign a declaration their produce is not contaminated by the novel coronavirus, three people who received a letter said on Friday. The declaration, seen by Reuters, may be an effort by China to reduce the additional testing it has carried […] Read more

Barley, Crops, Markets, Reuters

China hits Australia with barley tariff

Duty to last for five years; China may turn to Canada, other exporters

By Colin Packham, Dominique Patton, GFM Network News May 19, 2020

Beijing/Sydney | Reuters — China added to tensions with Australia on Monday by announcing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties totalling 80.5 per cent on Australian barley imports from Tuesday (May 19), which is expected to all but halt a billion-dollar trade between them. China’s ministry of commerce said it had confirmed dumping by Australia and significant […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

China’s beef imports to drop as hotpot comes off the boil

By Dominique Patton, Sophie Yu, GFM Network News April 13, 2020

Beijing | Reuters — Just over two months ago, the Jinyuan Fucheng Beef Hotpot restaurant in northern Beijing had a long line of customers waiting outside its doors almost every night of the week. Now, the restaurant that can seat 800 barely fills 20 tables a day, with most people still wary of dining out […] Read more

Canola, Crops, Markets, Reuters

China to resume imports of Canadian canola, sources report

By Dominique Patton, Hallie Gu, GFM Network News March 31, 2020

Beijing | Reuters — China has agreed to allow imports of Canadian canola to resume, two sources briefed on the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, lifting a ban in place since March 2019 that had halted US$2 billion worth of trade. The agreement was reached during a call held by China’s customs administration and Canada’s […] Read more

Reuters

China, France sign deals worth $15 bln during visit

By Dominique Patton, Marine Pennetier November 6, 2019

Beijing | Reuters – China and France signed contracts totalling $15 billion during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, a Chinese government official told a news briefing on Wednesday. Deals were struck in the fields of aeronautics, energy and agriculture, including approval for 20 French companies to export poultry, beef and pork to China. They also agreed to expand […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

Trump’s hailing of Chinese farm purchases seen as ‘meaningless’

By Dominique Patton October 14, 2019

Beijing | Reuters — China is still a long way from forking out US$50 billion for farm goods from the United States, agriculture industry analysts said on Monday, cautioning that getting there is contingent on removing substantial technical and political hurdles. Outlining the first phase of a deal to end a trade war with China, […] Read more

Hogs, Livestock, Reuters

China to suspend pork imports from Quebec processor

By Dominique Patton, Hallie Gu June 18, 2019

Beijing | Reuters — China will block pork imports from a third Canadian firm after a shipment was found to contain the banned feed additive ractopamine, the customs agency said on Tuesday, deepening a trade and diplomatic dispute with Canada. The firm in question is Frigo Royal, the agency said on its Wechat account. Ractopamine […] Read more

Canola, Crops, Markets, Reuters

China’s ban on Canadian canola expands to Viterra

By Dominique Patton, Julie Gordon March 26, 2019

Beijing/Ottawa | Reuters — China expanded its ban on Canadian canola seed imports on Tuesday to include shipments from Viterra, the latest development in a wider trade dispute between the two countries. Viterra is the second canola exporter to have its registration cancelled, after Beijing halted shipments from top exporter Richardson International earlier this month. […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle up on cash market optimism, beef demand

ICE weekly outlook: Canola stronger at midweek

CBOT weekly outlook: Markets could go higher after U.S. Thanksgiving

GFM Network News