April soybean imports lower than expected

China imported 4.28 million metric tons of soybeans in April, lower than the previous estimate of 5.45 million tons, the Ministry of Commerce said.

The ministry also forecast imports of the beans in May to stand at 6.02 million tons, beating the previous prediction of 5 million tons.

The country, the world's largest importer of soybeans, has also imported 79,500 tons of soy oil, the ministry said. It did not provide a forecast of soy oil imports in May.