CHINA has started booking cargoes of Australian barley after it scrapped tariffs on the trade earlier this month.

Traders have booked at least four cargoes of the Australian grain for shipping from September to October, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

China removed the import tariffs Aug. 5 citing changes in the Chinese market, signaling improving ties between the trading partners.

China was Australia’s largest export market for barley before the nation imposed tariffs of more than 80% in May 2020, with a souring of relations impacting the trade of other commodities including coal and wine.

That led to an increase in shipments to other countries such as Saudi Arabia, Japan and Vietnam. (SD-Agencies)