BUENOS AIRES (Dow Jones)--Argentina exported 284,578 metric tons ofsoyoil in June, or 31% less than the 425,438 tons exported during the samemonth in 2003, the Agriculture Secretariat reported Tuesday.Exports fell as sales to China and India plummeted in June.China, the top buyer of Argentine soyoil, imported 57,100 tons inJune, down 66% from 167,824 a year earlier.Venezuela ranked second in June, accounting for 51,547 tons comparedwith just 9,985 tons a year earlier.India was third with 46,050 tons against 115,544 the previous year.In the first six months of 2004, Argentina exported 2,041,770 tons ofsoyoil, compared with 1,995,144 during the same period a year ago.

SOYMEAL, PELLETS

Argentina also exported 1,877,536 tons of soymeal and pellets in June,or 3.4% more than the 1,815,172 tons shipped during the same month in2003.The Secretariat does not distinguish between meal and pellets.The Netherlands was the top destination for soymeal and pellets inJune, accounting for 284,730 tons, compared with 199,443 tons a yearearlier.Spain came in second with 236,609 tons against 253,900 tons.Italy ranked third, buying 174,711 tons against 214,226 tons theprevious year.Argentina is the world's No. 1 soyoil and soymeal exporter.In the first half of 2004, Argentina exported 9,386,107 tons ofsoymeal and pellets, compared with 8,826,878 a year earlier.