China is biggest export destination for Western alfalfa |
| By Seth Hoyt |
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Alfalfa hay exports from West Coast ports to China in June 2016 totaled a record 101,591 metric tons (MT), according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. This was 30 percent more than last year and 14 percent above May of this year. Exports of alfalfa hay to China far exceed U.S. alfalfa hay exports to other countries. As a comparison, alfalfa hay exports from the West Coast in June to Japan were 30,877 MT, United Arab Emirates 24,016 MT, Saudi Arabia 16,919, and South Korea 8,416 MT. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach exported 69,842 MT of alfalfa hay to China in June, 69 percent of the total. The Washington ports of Seattle and Tacoma exported the balance of West Coast China exports in June with 25,451 MT. Alfalfa hay exported to China from the U.S. must test negative for GMO. |
