Why does China import alfalfa?

Why does China import alfalfa?

China’s rapid transition toward larger-scale commercial dairy production, with enhanced feed and cost management as well as quality and safety control, and its limited resources for high-quality alfalfa production are key factors for the dramatic increase in its alfalfa imports, from 19 601 metric tons in 2008 to 1.38 …

Where is alfalfa exported?

Historically, Japan has been the primary foreign market for alfalfa hay, but in recent years China and the Middle East have increased demand dramatically. In 2010, alfalfa hay exports to China and Taiwan nearly equaled that of Japan (Figure 2).

How much alfalfa is exported?

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) pegged 2020 total alfalfa and other hay (mostly grass) exports from the U.S. at almost 4.1 million MT, just shy of the 2017 record of 4.03 million MT (see Figure 1).

What is our main export to China?

Leading services exports from the U.S. to China were in the travel, intellectual property (licenses for the use of research and development), and financial services sectors.

Does China import alfalfa?

In 2019, China imported about 30,000 metric tons ($8 million) of alfalfa meal and pellets, mostly unchanged from the previous year. 4 Imports from Spain – the largest supplier of alfalfa meal and pellets to China – accounted for a little more than 80 percent of the volume or about 24,000 metric tons (Table 1).

Does Utah sell alfalfa to China?

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah sends thousands of tons of hay every year to China and other countries in Asia and the Middle East. Droughts and dry weather are making that hay more expensive because ranchers have to buy more feed for cattle that would normally be grazing.

Which countries produce the most alfalfa?

Overview of Global Alfalfa Market

• Rank 1. 2020. United States. $1.6B. Export Value.
• Rank 2. 2020. Australia. $371.7M. Export Value.
• Rank 3. 2020. Spain. $254.6M. Export Value.
• Rank 4. 2020. Canada. $170.6M. Export Value.
• Rank 5. 2020. Italy. $148.5M.
• Rank 6. 2020. France. $88.9M.
• Rank 7. 2020. Netherlands. $59.2M.
• Rank 8. 2020. Romania. $50.9M.

How much hay is exported?

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) pegged 2019 total alfalfa and other hay (mostly grass) exports from the U.S. at almost 4.1 million MT, just shy of the 2017 record of 4.2 million MT. The past year’s total hay exports were 4.5% greater than 2018’s final tally.

Where is alfalfa grown in the world?

It is estimated that there are more than 70 million acres of alfalfa grown around the world, with significant acreages present in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

What does Canada export to China?

Canada Exports to China	Value	Year
Oil seed, oleagic fruits, grain, seed, fruits	$1.40B	2020
Meat and edible meat offal	$1.30B	2020
Cereals	$1.15B	2020
Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products	$867.70M	2020

How much alfalfa does Utah export?

Also of note: In 2020 Utah, alone, exported alfalfa hay valued at $124 million. Data sources: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and USDA Agricultural Census.