May. 24, 2012 (China Knowledge) - China imported 18.15 million metric tons of soybeans in the period from January to April this year, 22% more than in the same period of last year, according to statistics released by China's General Administration of Customs.

In April, China's soybean imports reached 4.88 million metric tons, reflecting a growth of 26% YoY. The average import price was US$552.69 per metric ton last month.

From January to April, the U.S. was the largest soybean import source, and China's soybean imports from the country amounted to 12.32 million metric tons, down 7.39% YoY.

The country's soybean imports from Brazil, the second largest import source, surged 335.75% YoY to 5.11 million metric tons in the first four months, and imports from Argentina totaled 612,645 metric tons, up 606.01% from the same period of 2011.