BEIJING, June 23 (UPI) -- China's soybean imports, already the world's largest, could rise 5 percent this year, benefiting U.S. farmers, the head of the U.S. trade group said.
"China is the most important market for U.S. soybeans, and the soybean trade will play a large role in improving the balance of China-U.S. trade," said Alan Kemper, president of the American Soybean Association, in Beijing to attend a food security conference, China Daily reported Thursday.
The soybean trade would help promote bilateral relations, Chinese experts said.
The report said because of constraints over land and water resources, China cannot meet its growing demand for agricultural products domestically, one expert said.
"The size of the area where China's soybeans are grown remains largely unchanged from last year," said Liu Denggao, vice president of the China Soybean Industry Association.
Imported soybeans are mainly used as animal feed or to make cooking oil.
China imported a record 54.8 million tons of soybeans last year to supplement its domestic output of 15.2 million tons.
To consolidate its position in the Chinese market amid growing competition, the U.S. soybean industry will invest more than $2 million to teach Chinese farmers efficient ways of using soybeans, Kemper said.
