China moves to curb illegal food exports
Updated
China's government has stepped up efforts to curb illegal wheat and rice exports because traders are trying to smuggle grain to take advantage of record high global prices.
Customs officials in the eastern city of Hangzhou say they stopped four attempts in the past few weeks that could have shipped nearly seven tonnes of rice and 33 tonnes of wheat out of the country illegally.
Authorities in Ningbo city say they blocked more than 130 tonnes of wheat from being shipped out in four recent cases.
In March, global rice prices rose to their highest level in 19 years and wheat prices rocketed to a 28-year peak.
China's commerce ministry called for tightened curbs on grain exports and a build-up of reserves of important agricultural products.
