A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) and the Academy of State Administration of Grain in China.

The MOU formalizes a working partnership over the next two years to examine research opportunities for the use of Chinese and Canadian wheat involving opportunities for blending, new methods for grain quality evaluation, and grain processing and storage technologies.

"Cigi is pleased to collaborate with ASAG to investigate opportunities for uses of Canadian and Chinese wheat," said Cigi CEO JoAnne Buth. "This partnership has the potential to benefit all stakeholders in the value chain, from farmers through to end users, as the development of new applications will demonstrate the quality of Canadian grain to meet the needs of customers."

The agreement, which was signed this week during a mission to China, will see staff engaging in technical exchanges both in Canada and China.

Earlier in the week Cigi also signed a two-year MOU with Henan University of Technology (HAUT) in Zhengzhou which is the prime university for grain research in China.

"Both of these memorandums will give us a greater opportunity to reach potential customers to showcase Canadian grain quality and uses in food products in the Chinese market," says Buth.