August soybean imports from Brazil into China rose 10.9% from the same month last year, according to customs data, while imports from the United States fell sharply.
China, the world’s top importer of soybeans, imported 9.04 million tonnes of the oilseed from Brazil in August, up from 8.15 million tonnes a year earlier.
Soybeans are crushed for soybean meal to feed livestock in China, and for soyoil for cooking. Chinese crushers increased soybean imports last year to meet strong demand as the country rebuilt its pig herd after it was decimated by deadly African swine fever.
In contrast, imports from the United States last month fell to 17,575 tonnes, down 89.4% from 166,370 tonnes in August 2020.