China’s commodity imports rise in August, soybeans hit 3-month high

[Aerial perspective of a container port, Virginia, United States of America]
Abstract Aerial Art

* China’s commodity imports rose broadly in August as buyers prepared for the typical pickup in industrial activity at summer’s end.
* Crude oil, iron ore, copper, and soybeans all posted year-on-year gains, while fuels for power generation showed signs of recovery, according to customs data [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-08/china-s-commodities-imports-rise-as-seasonal-demand-revives]on Monday.
* Imports of copper concentrate rose to 2.76 million tons, their second-highest level ever, after a boost to cargoes from Indonesia.
* Crude imports of 49.5 million tons were slightly above last year. Iron ore imports returned above 105 million tons for only the second time this year.
* Soybeans (S_1:COM [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/S_1:COM]) hit a 3-month high as crushers continued to stock up on Brazilian supplies to hedge against a drop-off in purchases from the U.S., _Bloomberg_ reported. Futures are up +0.4%.
* Edible oils surged to their strongest since January 2024, while meat imports stayed above 500,000 tons for a sixth straight month.
* Copper (HG1:COM [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/HG1:COM]) futures rose +0.2% on Monday; iron ore (SCO:COM [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SCO:COM]) was little changed.

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