A cargo vessel carrying about 65,000 tonnes of Argentine wheat to China has marked the first bulk commercial shipment of this grain between the two countries since 1997, opening a potential new trade route. The shipment was loaded at COFCO International’s terminal in Timbúes, Santa Fe province, one of Argentina’s key agricultural export hubs.
Argentina’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries described the delivery as a milestone in bilateral trade relations. China’s Ambassador to Argentina, Wang Wei, said the shipment signaled “the opening of a new chapter” in agricultural cooperation and highlighted opportunities for further economic collaboration.
According to Emilce Terre of the Rosario Board of Trade, the shipment is only the beginning of a potentially growing trade flow. By the end of 2025, four vessels carrying nearly 160,000 tonnes of Argentine wheat had already been recorded heading to China, indicating strong early momentum.
Analysts note that China’s efforts to diversify grain suppliers and Argentina’s search for new export markets are key drivers behind the renewed trade. Argentina’s wheat production has expanded significantly over recent decades, reaching nearly 30 million tonnes in strong harvest years, giving the country capacity to increase exports without threatening domestic supply.
Seasonal differences between harvests in the Southern and Northern hemispheres may also support trade growth, allowing China to balance procurement throughout the year. While soybeans and beef remain Argentina’s main agricultural exports to China, wheat shipments could become an additional pillar of bilateral agricultural trade.
