One of China's main agricultural imports - cotton hit a new record in the first half of this year in Nantong city, Jiangsu province, with 249 batchs, or 80200 tons, 153.7% and 111.9% up respectively than the previous year. Import value topped US$ 100 million, 116.2 percent up. The imported cotton mainly came from US, Burkina Faso, India, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Brazil, Togo, Mali and Ghana.

Latest statistics released by the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine revealed that problems were spotted in 209 batches in terms of weight and in 180 batches in terms of quality. The watchdog is planning measures to stop the situation. It requires continued stringent inspection and prompt claim for indemnity.