China raises Russian wheat purchases to $19.6 million over January–September

China bought $19.6 million of Russian wheat in January–September 2026, compared with $3.8 million a year earlier. The value of barley and corn imports from Russia also increased, according to Chinese customs data reported by Interfax.

September wheat purchases reached $2 million, up from $1.3 million a year earlier but below August’s $4.6 million. The highest monthly value this year was $5.3 million in January.

China imported $134.5 million of Russian barley over the nine months, compared with $62.9 million in the same period of 2025. September purchases rose to $22.1 million from $9.8 million a year earlier and $15.7 million in August.

Russian corn imports increased to $103.3 million over January–September from $77.4 million. September purchases totalled $7.4 million, slightly below the previous September’s $7.5 million and August’s $9.1 million.

Interfax said Russia remained China’s fifth-largest wheat supplier, fourth-largest barley supplier and third-largest corn supplier. In 2025, Russian wheat sales to China totalled $13.8 million versus $87.3 million in 2024. Barley sales were $111.2 million versus $177.1 million, while corn sales were $107.6 million versus $34.2 million.

Russia currently has access to China’s market for spring wheat and barley. Russian authorities are seeking approval for winter varieties, which experts consider to have greater export potential.