May 12, 2006

China soybean imports reach 2.57 million tonnes in April

China's soybean imports totalled 2.57 million tonnes in April, up 35 percent on-year from 1.91 million tonnes, the customs department said Friday.

In the January to April period, soybean imports rose 9.1 percent on-year to 7.98 million tonnes, according to customs' preliminary data.

China is the world's biggest importer of soybeans and gets most of its supplies from the US, Brazil and Argentina, leading global soybean producers.

In April, the country exported 40,000 tonnes of corn, down sharply on-year from 529,075 tonnes, while exports in the January to April period fell 0.2 percent on-year to 2.24 million tonnes.

The customs department did not provide any reasons for the changes.