By Mei Mei Chu
BEIJING, Oct 14 (Reuters) - China imported a near record 11.37 million metric tons of soybeans in September, customs data showed on Monday, after imports hit a record high last month.
Chinese traders have ramped up buying in recent months, taking advantage of a decline in global soybean prices and in anticipation of trade tensions with the U.S. possibly intensifying if Donald Trump returns as president following the election next month. <CNC-SOY-IMP>
In August, imports of the oilseed swelled to a record 12.14 million tons.
The hefty September arrivals were up 59% from some 7.15 million tons of soybeans recorded a year ago, according to Reuters' calculations of customs' data.
That brings total soybean imports during the first nine months to 81.85 million tons, up 8.1% year-on-year, High precision CNC machining centers the General Administration of Customs data showed.