ZHENGZHOU, July 13 Asia Pulse - Experts predict that with imports andstocks of soybean oil hitting record highs, the edible oil market in Chinamay remain stable and drop slightly in the near future.

With the purchase of rapeseed entering peak season, the supply of rapeseedoil should increase.

Other factors that experts noted include:

- The price of soybean oil may weaken, with soybean processing factoriesmanaging to keep the ex-factory price of 6,000 yuan/ton for second-gradeoil.

- With processing profits dwindling, the price of rapeseed may dropslightly.

- The price of palm oil may rebound, but the range is limited.

- Imports of plant oil have increased sharply this year as compared withthe same period in 2003.

Statistics released by customs show that China imported 178,800 tons ofsoybean oil in May and a total of 1.172 million tons in the first fivemonths, doubling the amount in the same period of 2003.

Palm oil imports were 254,400 tons in May and 1.34 million tons in thefirst five months, up 19.5 per cent year-on-year.

(XIC)