COFCO Marks Milestone with First Bulk Argentine Wheat Cargo Bound for China

Credit / Image: COFCO

COFCO International has begun loading the first bulk commercial shipment of Argentine wheat destined for China, marking a historic milestone in bilateral agricultural trade and opening a new trade flow between the two countries. The shipment represents a significant step in diversifying China’s wheat import origins while reinforcing Argentina’s role as a reliable global grain supplier.

Loading operations are currently underway at COFCO International’s port terminal in Timbúes, located on the Paraná River in Argentina’s Santa Fe Province. The vessel, MV Shandong Fu Yi, will initially depart via the Paraná River before topping up at the Quequén port in Buenos Aires Province. From there, it will sail to China carrying approximately 65,000 metric tonnes of wheat intended for the Chinese milling industry.

The commencement of this shipment underscores the operational readiness of Argentina’s grain export infrastructure and the growing strategic alignment between Argentine exporters and Chinese buyers. It also reflects China’s continued efforts to diversify its agricultural supply chains amid evolving global market dynamics.

The vessel loading ceremony at Timbúes was attended by several high-level government officials and industry leaders, highlighting the political and commercial significance of the shipment. Among those present were Wei Wang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Argentine Republic; Maximiliano Pullaro, Governor of Santa Fe Province; Gustavo Puccini, Minister of Productive Development of Santa Fe Province; and Antonio Fiorenza, Mayor of Timbúes.

Representing COFCO International and its Chinese customer delegation were Wei Dong, CEO of COFCO International; Sun Bao, Chairman of COFCO Trading; and Alfonso Romero, Managing Director of COFCO International Argentina. Their presence underscored the strategic importance of the shipment for COFCO’s global trading network and for strengthening long-term cooperation between Argentina and China in the agricultural sector.

The opening of this wheat trade flow follows years of technical and regulatory engagement between the two countries, paving the way for Argentine wheat to enter the Chinese market on a commercial scale. For Argentina, the shipment represents an opportunity to expand export destinations for one of its key agricultural commodities, while for China it offers greater supply diversification and access to high-quality wheat suitable for milling.

COFCO International plays a central role in facilitating this trade. As one of Argentina’s major agro-industrial companies and grain exporters, the company operates an extensive network of silos, processing plants, and port terminals across the country. Through these assets, COFCO sources, processes, and ships soybeans, corn, wheat, and related products to both domestic and international markets.

In Argentina alone, COFCO International employs more than 1,400 people, reflecting its significant footprint in the country’s agricultural value chain. The company’s integrated operations enable it to manage logistics efficiently from origination to export, an increasingly critical capability in today’s complex global grain markets.

At the center of the current shipment is COFCO International’s Timbúes Complex, one of Argentina’s most advanced agri-processing and export facilities. Strategically located on the Paraná River, the complex is designed to handle large volumes of agricultural commodities with high operational efficiency. It has an annual handling capacity exceeding 5 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds, making it a key hub for Argentina’s grain exports.

The Timbúes facility’s ability to load Panamax-size vessels and connect seamlessly with inland logistics networks was instrumental in executing this first wheat shipment to China. The subsequent top-up at Quequén port further optimizes cargo volume before the vessel begins its long voyage to Asia.

Industry observers note that the successful execution of this shipment could pave the way for regular wheat flows from Argentina to China, potentially reshaping trade patterns in the global wheat market. While Argentina has traditionally exported wheat to destinations in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia, access to the Chinese market represents a major expansion opportunity.

For China, importing Argentine wheat adds another origin to its procurement portfolio, supporting food security objectives and offering flexibility in sourcing for its milling industry. The shipment also reflects the growing role of state-backed and multinational agribusiness companies such as COFCO in bridging supply and demand across continents.

As the MV Shandong Fu Yi prepares to depart South American waters, the cargo onboard symbolizes more than a single transaction. It represents a new chapter in Argentina–China agricultural trade, one driven by infrastructure investment, international cooperation, and the strategic importance of grain markets in a changing global landscape.