MOSCOW: China will allow imports of wheat and barley from all regions of Russia, the Russian state agricultural watchdog said on Friday, a new grain export success for Russia that could lead to greater competition for other suppliers like France.

The move, announced as part of agreements signed during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing.

Means China will no longer restrict trade in the cereals to certain parts of Russia, raising the prospect of Russia being able to send large vessels through the key Black Sea export route.

Moscow has been attempting for years to expand cereal trade with China, and Swiss-based trader Solaris, a major exporter of Russian wheat. It expected China soon to become a big buyer of Russian wheat.

Russia is the world’s biggest wheat-exporting country while China has emerged as a major wheat importer.