U.S. to Tighten Standard for Soy Shipped to China, USDA Says

  • Cargoes to be labeled for foreign-matter content over 1%
  • Shipments above new limit may be held back for more cleaning
Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
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U.S. officials will impose stricter quality controls on exports of soybeans headed to China in response to a request from the government in Beijing, a move that may curb some American shipments.

Shipments with impurity levels below a new standard of 1 percent, half the current level, will receive priority for shipment, while soybeans above it may be held back for more cleaning, U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman William Wepsala said in a telephone interview Wednesday. The new standard may go into effect Jan. 1, he said.