Soybean imports in May set to rise

China, the world's largest soybean importer, will increase imports in May as demand rebounds following a slowdown due to bird flu, according to a specialist publication. Soybean is a key component of animal feed.

Oil World, a German magazine, predicted that China's soybean imports in May will rise to 6 million metric tons from 5.3 million tons a year ago.

"China's imports will grow dramatically in May," it said.

And demand will continue to rise, it said.

The magazine expects imports of the bean to hit 7 million tons in June, compared with 5.6 million tons last year.