November 5, 2024 | 13:19 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Saturday- 07:00, 26/02/2022

China confirms it has lifted wheat import restrictions on Russia

(VAN) The deal was made last month, and the Chinese government announced details this week.
Winter wheat is harvested in a field farmed by Dalton and Carson North near McCracken, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File / AP Newsroom)

Winter wheat is harvested in a field farmed by Dalton and Carson North near McCracken, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File / AP Newsroom)

The Chinese government has confirmed that it solidified a deal scrapping import restrictions on wheat from Russia, announcing details of the agreement the same week Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters first reported on Feb. 4 that China had lifted the restrictions on Russian wheat and barley as part of a broader group of new deals forged between the two allies during Putin's visit to Beijing at the launch of the Olympics – including a decades-long $117.5 billion agreement for Russia to export oil and gas to China.

But the Chinese government did not acknowledge the wheat deal until its General Administration of Customs made further details public in a notice dated Feb. 23, sparking outrage that the country led by President Xi Jinping was moving forward with a "lifeline" to Russia as other nations ramp up sanctions on the Kremlin in the wake of its attack on a sovereign country.

"You don’t go and give a lifeline to Russia in the middle of a period when they are invading another country," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday in a rebuke of China's move. "That is simply unacceptable."

Russia is the world's largest exporter of wheat, and previously faced restrictions on exports to China over plant disease concerns. Now, further exports from Russia means bad news for the current major wheat exporters to China, including Australia, the European Union and Canada.

The agreement is also a blow to American producers, as the U.S. has sought to ramp up its wheat exports to China.

Tr.D

(FoxNews)

Small farmers in Europe struggle to get by

Small farmers in Europe struggle to get by

(VAN) Brutal economic situation has inflicted misery on farmers who struggle to turn a profit and forced some to look for alternative streams of revenue.

China intensifies emergency food supply amid increasing extreme weather events

China intensifies emergency food supply amid increasing extreme weather events

China has reinforced its emergency food supply in response to increasing extreme weather events and natural disasters, an official said.

Scientists dismayed as UK ministers clear way for gene editing of crops - but not animals

Scientists dismayed as UK ministers clear way for gene editing of crops - but not animals

(VAN) Advocates urge government to allow ‘precision breeding’ to combat disease, but RSPCA warns of ethical dangers.

Expectations positive, but tempered on GM wheat in US

Expectations positive, but tempered on GM wheat in US

(VAN) HB4 wheat’s USDA approval will enable Bioceres to 'move forward with nonregulated field activities for product development and commercialization,' CEO Federico Trucco said in September.

Famine and catastrophic hunger in 5 major hotspots alongside the looming La Niña_climate threat in others

Famine and catastrophic hunger in 5 major hotspots alongside the looming La Niña_climate threat in others

(VAN) Acute food insecurity is set to increase in magnitude and severity in 22 countries and territories.

Pharma and agritech groups push against biodiversity levy at UN summit

Pharma and agritech groups push against biodiversity levy at UN summit

(VAN) One contentious proposal seeks to impose 1% levy on returns from products made using genetic data.

The long association between humans and our stomach bacteria

The long association between humans and our stomach bacteria

(VAN) In a study published in Nature, a team has uncovered new new details about the long association between humans and our stomach bacteria.

Read more