17/6/2005 Asia Pulse ZHENGZHOU - It is estimated that China will import24.5 million tons of soybean in the 2004-05 fiscal year, a jump of 45 percent as compared with the figure in the 2003-04 fiscal year, according toChina State Grain and Oil Information Centre.

China imported 16.9 million tons of soybean in the 2003-04 fiscal year.

Cao Zhi, a senior analyst with the information centre, forecasts thatChina will import some 12 million tons of soybean from the United States.

Sources with the centre said that China's domestic demand for edible oilsin the 2004-05 fiscal year will reach 18 million tons, resulting in ashortfall of 4 to 5 million tons.

However, import of soybean from other countries will meet the shortfall ofedible oils.

China State Grain and Oil Information Centre said that domestic demand forsoybean dregs (including demand by the feed sector) will be 21.68 milliontons, less than the predicted total production of 24.36 million tons.