Representatives from Grains Australia, the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) and the Chinese-based Academy of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (Academy of NAFRA) signed the MOU this week in Beijing.

The MOU will build on previous work and identify potential opportunities in terms of blending of Chinese and Australia wheat or the milled flour and new methods for wheat quality evaluation and grain processing.

The Chinese market is keen to find methods to help improve the efficacy of grain processing, along with identifying new opportunities in the emerging functional foods market, in particular in regards to whole grains.

Grains Australia and AEGIC work together to represent Australia's grains sector, with AEGIC being a delivery partner for Grains Australia's market insights and education services.

To this end, AEGIC will deliver some of the activities outlined in the MOU, on behalf of Grains Australia, which is itself an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

The primary focus of the not-for-profit academy of NAFRA is on ensuring Chinese national food security, promoting the development of the food circulation industry and addressing scientific and technological issues related to food and strategic reserves.

Grains Australia chief executive Richard Simonaitis said the agreement represented a shared commitment to cooperate on mutually beneficial areas of research with a large and valued grain trading partner.

"The agreement reaffirms Grains Australia's dedication to fostering strong and mutually beneficial relationships and opportunities with China, which is a significant and valued grain trading partner," Mr Simonaitis said.

"The agreement will enhance the personnel knowledge exchange and strengthen the cooperation on food science and technology among the three parties," Mr Tan said.