Australia seeks glyphosate-free mung bean methods after China rejects shipments

Summary

China has rejected 10 containers of Australian mung beans after tests found glyphosate residue at five times the permitted level, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on the 13th. Roughly 95 percent of Australia's mung bean crop is treated with glyphosate before harvest, with output forecast at 100,

000 to 120, 000 tonnes in 2026, most of it bound for China. Growers are now exploring alternatives such as swathing,

and the Mung Bean Association has met to discuss preserving market access.

Commentary

The rejection highlights a gap in exporters' awareness of maximum residue limit (MRL) compliance, with glyphosate levels in Australian mung beans running at five times the Chinese standard. Given that the bulk of Australia's crop is pre-harvest treated, the incident underscores the need to track evolving import requirements. China has been tightening residue thresholds for agri-food imports, a trend that New Zealand SMEs should factor into production planning to avoid border rejections.

Australia's shift towards swathing and other mechanical drying methods offers a lesson for NZ dairy, meat, and horticulture exporters: manage inputs at the source rather than relying solely on end-product testing. The Chinese market remains substantial, but the technical bar is rising.

Keywords: glyphosate residue, mung beans, China rejection, Australia, pesticide residue, export, mechanical defoliation, market access

Source: Global Times