In the first three months of 2007, U.S. imports of fresh vegetables from China grew by 66 percent, juice imports grew by 98 percent, and fresh fruit imports grew by an astonishing 279 percent.
As large manufacturers buy more food from the country, China could be poised to become the same export juggernaut for fresh foods that it has become for manufactured goods. In 2000, China accounted for less than 1 percent of all U.S. fresh garlic imports. In 2005, China accounted for 73 percent of the same market.
A similar trend has been occurring in the markets for strawberries and other foods.
However, China's safety record for food imports is not reassuring. In April, 107 food imports from China were detained by the FDA at U.S. ports.
In-Forum News May 24, 2007
Business Week May 23, 2007
China has transformed, seemingly overnight, into a dangerous juggernaut run amok into kitchens across America. They are seizing the opportunity to expand their already massive exports market by taking commanding shares of the fresh and organic produce markets.
This month's (June issue) of National Geographic has a very illuminating article about how life has been transformed in China as they lead the world in most forms of manufacturing. It really is an eye-opening revelation at the price China is paying to work at such low wages to produce the goods of the world.
For the past three decades China's economy has averaged nearly 10 percent ANNUAL growth. Their economy is fueled by the largest migration the world has ever seen. An estimated 140 million rural Chinese have already left their homes and another 45 million are expected to join the urban workforce in the next five years.
The stories told in this article reveal that the bulk of the Chinese are not benefiting from this massive increase in economic growth. They are losing their connection to ancient traditions in exchange for a piece of the "good life," which never materializes.
The Western countries that "benefit" from the explosive growth of imported fresh produce from China have the potential for some pretty dire health ramifications. The real price for cheap strawberries year-round may end up being your health.
Factory-farming is really only good for the owner of the factory, not the workers and not the recipients. When you abandon time-tested methods of growing food and start the processing early up the food chain you significantly deteriorate the quality of the food.
This is true wherever the factory farms are, in China or the United States.
China is now almost as well known for toxic food ingredients as they are for cheap electronics. Especially in the light of the last few months' string of disasters, such as:
- Pet food ingredients laced with toxic melamine
- Imported livestock quarantined for disease and banned chemical contaminants
- Catfish fillets from Chinese aquatic farms tainted with bacteria and heavy metals
- Dried apples preserved with a cancer-causing chemical
- Mushrooms laced with illegal pesticides
Wal-Mart is the nation's largest food retailer. They are also China's eighth-largest trading partner. Unfortunately, Wal-Mart does not appear to have your best interest at heart, as they spearhead the campaign against stricter food regulations, port inspections and country-of-origin labeling.
Don't fall for Wal-Mart's cheap promises of healthy fresh foods, available regardless of the season. Instead, support your local farmers -- and protect your own health -- by buying fresh, organic produce that hasn't seen more of the world than you have. Also, stick with fruits and vegetables that are in season, according to your nutritional type.
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