US corn shipments to China slow after rejections over GM

CHINA has rejected cargoes of unapproved genetically modified corn strain, Reuters reports.

China's quarantine authority refused 545,000 tons of American corn in November and December because shipments contained Syngenta AG's MIR 162 corn, a GM variety that has been awaiting China's approval for more than two years.

The US Agriculture Department (USDA) said that 204,600 tons of US corn was shipped to China in the last week of December, down 17 per cent from the week before the smallest amount since early November. China accounts for 15 per cent of US corn shipped overseas.

China booked another 19,000 tons of corn for delivery during the 2013/14 marketing year, less than the 124,000 tons booked a week ago.

One major container exporter outside of Chicago, America's busiest rail hub, has stopped shipments. "We are now cancelling any unshipped corn. Risk is too high in corn," an exporter said.