Commercial sources have revealed that "Russia and China may start using a barter trade system next fall," with expectations that the first deals using this tool will be in agriculture. This information was reported by Reuters, citing three sources in trade and payments, with two sources anticipating agricultural deals to be concluded by next fall.
Barter-based trade could serve as a new tool to stimulate trade between Moscow and Beijing and reduce reliance on Western banking systems. Russia and China share strategic and historical ties, and both countries are working to enhance trade relations, promoting transactions in their national currencies amid Western sanctions and restrictions. According to data from the Chinese Customs Administration, the volume of bilateral trade reached a record level of $240.11 billion in 2023, an increase of 26.3% compared to the previous year.
