The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Aug. 19, edition that Chinese state-run firm Cofco has booked about 50,000 tonnes of new-crop Australian canola, marking China's first imports from Australia since 2020. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that this follows Beijing's temporary levies on top supplier Canada and restrictions due to phytosanitary issues that had previously blocked Australian exports. Cofco has acquired cargo for November-December shipment at a price below $600 (U.S.) a tonne, including freight, and is in talks for more deals. Reuters reported in July that Canberra was nearing an agreement with Beijing to permit five trial canola shipments to China. It is unclear if Cofco's recent purchases are related to this trial. An named source, a Singapore-based trader, says: "One cargo is a done deal and there is talk [they are] going to buy more. Very soon there are going to be more deals." As the world's largest canola importer, China has sourced nearly all of its canola from Canada in recent years. However, Beijing's decision last week to impose a temporary 75.8-per-cent levy is expected to cut off Canadian canola from the Asian market.