China's October imports of soybean, coal surge y/y
Adds comments
Nov 7 (Reuters) -China's imports of coal, iron ore and soybean climbed in October from a year earlier, while those of crude oil slumped, customs data showed on Thursday.
China's outbound shipments grew at the fastest pace in more than two years in October as manufacturers rushed inventory to major export markets in anticipation of further tariffs from the U.S. and the European Union, with the threat of a broader trade war looming.
With Donald Trump being elected as the next U.S. president, his pre-election pledge to impose tariffs on Chinese imports in excess of 60% is likely to spur a shift in stocks to warehouses in China's No.1 export market.
Imports fell 2.3%, compared with expectations for a drop of 1.5%, turning negative for the first time in four months.
KEY POINTS:
* Soybean: October imports at 8.09 mmt, up 56% y/y
* Crude oil: October imports at 44.7 mmt, down 9% y/y
* Unwrought copper: Oct. imports at 506,000 mt, up 1.1% y/y
* Coal: October imports at 46.25 mmt, up 29% y/y
* Iron ore: October imports at 103.84 mmt, up 4.5% y/y
* Rare earths: October exports at 4,753 mt, up 10.78% y/y
Preliminary table of commodity trade data TRADE/CN
Below are comments from analysts on the commodities data.
COMMENT ON SOYBEAN
ROSA WANG, ANALYST, JCI
The October soybean imports were 600,000 higher than our initial estimate. We expect imports to remain high in the coming months as Chinese buyers rush to secure shipments before Trump 2.0 takes office in January. A record level of imports for 2024 is possible. Regarding the potential impact of a Trump administration, there could be a soybean shortage in China if high tariffs are imposed on Chinese goods and China responds with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. However, any shortage is likely to be moderate.
COMMENT ON CRUDE OIL
MUYU XU, SENIOR CRUDE OIL ANALYST, KPLER
The lower imports in October reflect thin refining margins and sluggish fuel demand at Chinese refineries, which do not have the motivation to replenish inventory even as outright oil prices hovered at relatively low levels.
COMMENTS ON IRON ORE
ZHUO GUIQIU, ANALYST, JINRUI FUTURES
Demand for ore climbed last month as production of hot metal ramped up, driven by drastically improved steel margins that contributed to relatively high imports.
CAI YONGZHENG, NANJING-BASED DIRECTOR, JIANGSU FUSHI DATA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Iron ore imports in October are a bit higher than our expectations. Relatively low prices and an appreciating yuan might act as tailwinds.
LINKS: For details, see the official Customs website (www.customs.gov.cn)
BACKGROUND:
China is the world's biggest crude oil importer and top buyer of coal, copper, iron ore and soybeans.
Reporting by Asia Commodities and Energy team; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips
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