The United States, traditionally a big soybean exporter, will import around 250,000 tonnes of soybeans in June and July this year because of tight domestic supplies, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday. "US soybean imports are set to increase sizably to at least 80,000 to 100,000 tonnes in June and probably to or above 150,000 tonnes in July," Oil World said.
The United States will import more soybeans this season than ever before, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), as pig and poultry companies seek to alleviate the tightest US supply in years following drought in 2012. The United States competes with Brazil for first place as the world's largest soybean exporter. At least 30,000 tonnes of Brazilian soybeans will be exported to the United States in June, while Paraguay will also ship 30,000 tonnes in June, Oil World said.