Brazilian soy shipments to China from 5 firms halted

BEIJING, Jan 22 (Reuters): China, the world's biggest soybean buyer, has stopped receiving Brazilian soybean shipments from five entities after cargoes did not meet phytosanitary requirements, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

Brazil, the world's biggest exporter of the oilseeds, has from Jan. 8 suspended shipments to China from Terra Roxa Comercio de Cereais, Olam Brasil and C.Vale Cooperativa Agroindustrial, one of the sources said.

On Jan. 14, Chinese customs suspended shipments from Cargill Agricola S A and ADM do Brasil, the source added.

There were concerns after some cargoes had been found with chemical contamination, pests or insects, sources said. The parent firms of the affected entities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

China's General Administration of Customs did not respond to a request for comment.