Ukraine opens wheat flour exports to China under new bilateral agreement
The agreement provides for state supervision and control at all stages, from wheat cultivation to the export of finished products, including production, storage and transportation.
UKRAINE/CHINA – Ukraine and China have officially signed a landmark protocol establishing the inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements for the export of Ukrainian wheat flour to the Chinese market.
The protocol sets out inspection, sanitary, and phytosanitary requirements for flour exports, covering the production chain from wheat cultivation through processing and shipment.
The agreement, signed on April 6, 2026, marks a significant milestone in bilateral trade relations, opening one of the world’s largest and most demanding consumer markets to Ukrainian flour millers for the first time.
The agreement was signed by Serhii Tkachuk, head of Ukraine’s State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, and Ma Shengkun, China’s ambassador to Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian officials, the deal establishes the technical conditions for shipments to begin and ensures that exported flour meets China’s food safety and quality standards.
For Ukraine, the opening of the Chinese market is significant because it adds value to grain exports by allowing the country to sell processed flour rather than only raw wheat.
That shift could create new opportunities for mills, traders, and farmers, especially at a time when Ukraine continues to seek stronger, more diversified export outlets.
Officials said the protocol reflects long negotiations and close cooperation between both sides.
“The agreed protocol establishes a clear and transparent mechanism for Ukrainian wheat flour to access the market of the People’s Republic of China,” Tkachuk said.
“It sets out control and certification procedures that allow for confirming the compliance of Ukrainian products with PRC requirements and ensuring the stability of export shipments.”
China is already one of Ukraine’s most important trade partners, and the latest agreement builds on earlier agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
In 2025, the two sides also signed protocols to expand trade in other farm products, including peas and wild-caught aquatic products, signaling a broader effort to deepen agricultural ties.
The new arrangement is expected to support Ukraine’s food-processing sector while giving Chinese buyers access to a new source of flour supply. Industry observers say the deal could also encourage further discussions on opening additional product categories, especially if the first shipments of flour are handled smoothly and compliance standards are consistently met.
Ukraine exported a total of 88,500 tonnes of wheat flour and pasta products in marketing year 2024-25, with 52% going to the European Union, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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