China's soyabean imports fell 25% in June from the same month last year, according to Reuters calculations based on customs data released on Friday, as the Sino-US trade war and an outbreak of deadly African swine fever curb demand. China brought in 6.52 million tonnes of soyabeans in June, down from 8.7 million tonnes last year, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the General Administration of Customs. China brought in 7.36 million tonnes of soyabeans in May.
While Chinese buyers last year scooped up Brazilian supplies in anticipation of hefty tariffs on US cargoes, importers this year were better prepared with stocks. At the same time, African swine fever has slashed the size of the pig herd and cut feed demand.
China slapped a 25% tariff on US soyabeans last July as part of a trade war between the world's two largest economies, bringing imports of US beans to a halt until the two countries agreed to a truce on last December.
Chinese state firms resumed some buying of US soyabeans following the truce until trade relations deteriorated again in early May.
Importers again held off on purchases of US cargoes before a large soyabean sale to China was announced in late June, a day before a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Deadly African swine fever outbreaks across China have also killed over a million pigs, cutting demand for soyameal in the world's top pig producer. China has reported more than 140 outbreaks of African swine fever since it was first detected in the country in early August 2018.
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