Pakistan has secured access to China's maize market, opening a potential new outlet for one of the country's major cereal crops after Chinese customs published the quarantine rules governing the trade. China's customs administration set out the requirements in an announcement, allowing imports of Pakistani maize with immediate effect.
Phytosanitary Protocol Activated
The measure activates a phytosanitary protocol agreed between the two sides under Pakistan's Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Maize is Pakistan's third-largest cereal crop after wheat and rice, and China would add to existing buyers such as Vietnam.
Eligibility and Requirements
Under the rules, eligible maize must be grown in Pakistan and used only for processing, not planting. Growing areas across the country qualify. Shipments will not start at once. Pakistani growing, processing and storage facilities must first be registered with Chinese customs, which will publish a list of approved firms, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro.
Pest Control and Compliance
The rules name 16 pests that consignments must be free of, including khapra beetle, and require fumigation where live insects are found. Cargoes lacking valid certificates, from unregistered firms, or carrying soil or unapproved genetically modified content will be returned or destroyed.
Deepening Agricultural Cooperation
The decision is the latest in a run of farm market-access steps between the two countries over the past year, from dried fruit and nuts to medicinal plants, as they mark 75 years of diplomatic ties and deepen agricultural cooperation under a maturing economic partnership.
