June 10, 2014

China might restart imports of Russian grains after two-decade ban

Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Rosselkhoznadzor said yesterday that China might be interested in importing Russian wheat, rye and barley after a near two-decade ban, as two countries seek to form a closer political and economic bond.

Rosselkhoznadzor said that its delegation visited the northeastern part of China, where Chinese counterparts expressed interest in the imports of grains including wheat, rye and barley from Siberia for processing in the northeastern region.

Rosselkhoznadzor also said that China was aiming to increase the import of rapeseed from Russia, which was allowed to be shipped to China last year.

China has banned the import of grains from Russia since early 1990s, following the discovery of fungus-contaminated cargos.