Canberra is negotiating with Beijing on sending five test shipments of canola. This will be the first step towards lifting the long-term ban, as reported by Reuters sources.
China, the world's largest importer of canola, primarily sources it from Canada, but these supplies may decrease due to an anti-dumping investigation conducted by Beijing. This year, China has imposed 100% tariffs on canola meal and oil from Canadian canola amidst strained diplomatic relations.
Australia, the second largest supplier of canola, lost access to the Chinese market in 2020 mainly due to Chinese phytosanitary requirements related to blackleg fungus.
Chinese and Australian officials are finalizing a mutual agreement to comply with Beijing's phytosanitary standards aimed at preventing the spread of fungal infection, industry sources noted.