China's Russian Wheat Imports Surge 5.2x, Barley Doubles in 2026

China's wheat imports from Russia jumped 5.2-fold to $19.6M in Jan-Sep 2026, with barley more than doubling, per Chinese customs data. This marks a significant shift in China's grain sourcing, likely driven by price competitiveness and geopolitical alignment, though volumes remain modest relative to China's total imports. The trend signals deepening agricultural trade ties between Beijing and Moscow amid Western sanctions.