China, Australia strengthen grains industry ties with landmark MoU

CHINA – The Chinese and Australian grain industries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in the grain sector.

The agreement, signed by representatives from Grains Australia, the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC), and the Academy of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (Academy of NAFRA), focuses on knowledge exchange, grain quality, safety, and processing.

Under the MoU, both nations will explore research opportunities to identify blending options for Chinese and Australian wheat and flour, as well as innovative methods for wheat quality evaluation and grain processing.

The agreement also emphasizes cooperative research in nutritional and functional food markets, particularly whole grain products, while investigating new market opportunities for both countries.

Richard Simonaitis, Grains Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the agreement’s importance in fostering strong research ties with China, one of Australia’s key grain trading partners.

 “The agreement reaffirms Grains Australia’s dedication to fostering strong and mutually beneficial relationships with China,” Simonaitis stated.

AEGIC Executive General Manager Courtney Draper noted that the MoU builds on an already well-established relationship with the Academy of NAFRA, highlighting valuable new areas for joint research.

Meanwhile, Tan Bengang, president of the Academy of NAFRA, expressed confidence that the agreement would promote personnel knowledge exchange and strengthen cooperation in food science and technology.

This partnership comes at a crucial time, as China intensifies efforts to bolster food security and reduce reliance on foreign agricultural imports.

Chinese agricultural scientists are developing new strains of protein-rich corn to serve as a substitute for soybeans in animal feed, a significant move toward reducing China’s dependence on imported soybeans.

China has relied heavily on soybean imports in recent years to support its expanding livestock industry, as the nation’s consumers adopt an increasingly meat and dairy-heavy diet.

Given China’s vast corn production, even a modest increase in the protein content of domestic corn could significantly curb the country’s need for foreign soybeans.

According to Yan Jianbing, president of Huazhong Agricultural University, improving corn’s protein content by just one percentage point could reduce China’s soybean imports by up to 8 million tonnes.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in international markets, China has placed an increasing emphasis on food security.

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