CHINA’S soybean imports in August jumped 9.7 percent from the previous month to hit the highest level in nearly one and a half years, customs data showed yesterday, as some shipments booked earlier cleared customs after a delay.

August’s imports of 9.48 million tons were up from 8.64 million tons in July, and also ahead of 9.15 million tons in August last year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

“Some cargoes from the United States did not get loaded earlier and only cleared customs in August,” said Xie Huilan, analyst with industry portal Cofeed.com.

China slapped 25 percent tariffs on a list of U.S. products including soybeans in July last year, in a response to similar measures by Washington.

Chinese demand has been dampened by an outbreak of African swine fever.

China bought 56.31 million tons of soybeans in the first eight months of the year, down 9.2 percent from last year, customs data showed.(SD-Agencies)