BEIJING: Beijing is expected to bar Australian wheat imports, putting a AU$560 million (US$394 million) trade at risk, industry sources told the South China Morning Post. The grain could be the latest Australian product banned in China. From Friday, Australian barley, sugar, red wine, timber, coal, lobster, copper ore and copper concentrates are expected to be barred from China even if the goods have been paid for and have arrived at ports. The ban on wheat is likely to follow, although a date has not yet been set, sources said. “Chinese importers have been told to obey these rules strictly and suspend all orders for commercial reasons. Shipments arriving at the port before Friday will be released – but those arriving after will be impounded. It won’t matter if they have already been sent to bonded areas,” a trader, who declined to be named. TLTP
