The U.S. Department of Agriculture is estimating that China will import 46 percent less corn in 2016 due to its own large stockpiles of commodities.  Its in part due to a slow down in their economy.  South Dakota Corn Grower’s President Keith Alverson says that’s alarming as China is a large current and growing market that needs to be retained.

He says it’s understandable the Chinese want to protect their own domestic market and economy, but the U.S. needs to work with them on the problem.

Alverson says U.S. farmers and industry officials also need to continue developing personal relationships with the Chinese to expand trade.

The USDA says China is also expected to import 34-percent less cotton and 35-percent less milk power. Imports of wheat, soybean and other food grains are expected to rise, but by a smaller margin that in prior years.