Australia’s largest grain firm CBH Group says there is no evidence to support China’s barley suspension
- The China Customs Administration detected pests in a recent shipment, and has also suspended CBH Group’s import registration
- China imposed anti-dumping duties on Australian barley in May, and this month began a dual investigation into wine imports
China has suspended barley imports from Australia’s largest grain exporter, CBH Group, after detecting pests in a recent shipment, in a further escalation of bilateral tensions between the two countries that show no signs of easing.
China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) said it also revoked CBH Group’s import registration.
“We urge the Australian authorities to improve their supervision of grain exports to ensure they meet Chinese import requirements,” the GACC said in a statement.
CBH Group confirmed it was advised by the Australian government of the move on Tuesday after China’s customs agency confirmed the details a day earlier.
CBH has not found any evidence to support these claims
“In recent months, CBH was advised by the Australian government that GACC had notified them that several CBH barley cargoes, that had already been discharged in China, did not meet phytosanitary requirements,” said CBH Group’s chief marketing and trading officer, Jason Craig.
“CBH has not found any evidence to support these claims. The cargoes were all retested, and it was confirmed that all cargoes met Australian government phytosanitary export requirements.