CHICAGO, June 13 (Reuters) - Global agribusiness Bunge

Global SA ( BG ) has received regulatory approval from China for

its acquisition of grain handler Viterra and expects to close

the $34 billion deal "on or around July 2," the company said in

a statement on Friday.

The deal, first announced in 2023, will create a global crop

trading and processing giant closer in scale to chief rivals

Archer-Daniels-Midland ( ADM ) and Cargill.

Approval from China was the final regulatory approval

Bunge needed to finalize the deal after gaining approvals from

regulators in

Canada

, the

European Union

and other markets.

"Achieving this regulatory milestone is a significant

step forward and clears the way for closing of the transaction.

This approval underscores the strategic rationale behind

bringing Bunge and Viterra together to create a premier global

agribusiness company," CEO Greg Heckman said in an emailed

statement.

Bunge shares were up 6.1% at midday on Friday.