China begins importing wheat from Argentina, expanding supply sources

China has started importing wheat from Argentina, expanding its supply base and reducing reliance on traditional exporters. Historically, more than 70% of China’s wheat imports came from Canada and Australia, but South America is now entering the list of suppliers. According to maritime analytics platform Signal Ocean, around 107,000 tonnes of Argentine wheat are scheduled for shipment in the coming weeks, marking the first cargoes following China’s updated quarantine and registration requirements.

The largest shipment, about 65,000 tonnes, will be loaded at the port of Timbúes under a program managed by state-owned agribusiness COFCO. In addition, two smaller cargoes of 20,000 tonnes and 22,000 tonnes will be shipped from Bahía Blanca with participation from global trading company Cargill. These shipments are supported by Argentina’s record wheat harvest in the 2025/26 season, estimated at 27.5–27.8 million tonnes, with export potential projected at around 17.5 million tonnes.

Although China is the world’s largest wheat producer, imports remain an important tool for balancing domestic supply and demand. In recent years, China’s wheat imports have fluctuated between 6 million and more than 12 million tonnes annually, depending on harvest results and market conditions. Adding Argentina as a supplier will help diversify sourcing and strengthen the country’s food security.

From a logistics perspective, the new shipments do not yet significantly alter transport patterns. Around 70% of China’s wheat imports are carried by Panamax vessels, while approximately 20% are transported by Supramax vessels. However, shipments from Argentina depend heavily on the Paraná–Paraguay river system and port depth limitations, which may influence cargo sizes and vessel selection.

Market analysts note that Argentina’s entry into China’s wheat import market is a positive development for both countries and reflects increasing global competition among exporters. However, it is unlikely to dramatically reshape global trade flows in the near term, as future volumes will depend on Argentina’s export availability, weather conditions, and strategic purchasing decisions by Chinese importers.

Tags: China, wheat, Argentina