China's Zhoushan port to see 48% jump in Brazilian soybean ships in April, state media reports

BEIJING, April 28 (Reuters) - Around 40 Brazilian soybean ships are expected to have docked at China's Zhoushan port in April, up 48% from last year, a social media account affiliated with the state broadcaster reported on Monday, as China shuns U.S. suppliers in an escalating trade war.

The account, Yuyuantantian, said the port is projected to unload a total of 700,000 metric tons of Brazilian soybeans this month, a 32% increase.

China has in recent years reduced reliance on U.S. beans while buying more from Brazil.

In March, China imposed 10% levies on imports of U.S. soybeans after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on Chinese goods.

Beijing has since announced additional 125% tariffs on all imports from the U.S. in response to Trump's hefty reciprocal duties, accelerating a Chinese shift towards alternative suppliers such as Brazil, which is expected to boost China's second-quarter soybean imports to an overall record high.

China bought only 1,800 tons of soybeans from the U.S. in the week ended April 17, after 72,800 tons in the week ended April 10, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.