AsianFin -- U.S. agribusiness giant Bunge has chartered a 30,000-metric-ton cargo of Argentine soybean meal bound for China, marking the first such shipment since Beijing approved soymeal imports from Argentina in 2019, according to data reviewed by Reuters on Monday.

While Argentina remains the world’s top exporter of soybean meal, China—though the largest global buyer of soybeans—typically prefers to import whole beans and crush them domestically for animal feed.

Shipping data from local maritime agency NABSA shows that the cargo will depart from the Terminal 6 facility in San Lorenzo, jointly operated by Bunge and Argentina’s AGD. The vessel, NORDTAJO, is expected to dock around July 16 to load the shipment.