SHANGHAI/BEIJING June 6 (Reuters) - Cargill is in talks to sell its metals unit to Macquarie Group ( MCQEF ), five sources with knowledge of the matter said, as the global trading house aims to focus on its core food and agriculture operations.

All five sources spoke on condition of anonymity given the sale has not yet been announced and they are not authorised to speak to media. They did not disclose further detail about the talks, which are not guaranteed to conclude with a deal.

Cargill did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment via email and phone.

Macquarie declined to comment.