China suspends some Brazilian soybean imports due to contamination

China halted soybean imports from five Brazilian plants owned by major global agricultural companies due to health concerns, according to people familiar with the matter. The suspensions affected two units of Cargill Inc., as well as facilities operated by Louis Dreyfus Co., CHS Agronegócios, and Tres Tentos Agroindustrial SA, the sources reported, who asked not to be identified as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the issue. Chinese inspectors found wheat grains treated with pesticides mixed in the shipments, the sources said. Cargill, Louis Dreyfus, CHS, and Tres Tentos did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The trade disruption comes at a time when China continues to buy soybeans from Brazil, despite having resumed purchases of U.S. soybeans following the late trade truce between Washington and Beijing. China has been heavily sourcing Brazilian soybeans this year due to concerns about a potential supply shortage during the trade war with the United ...