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INSTANT VIEW-China's April imports of petroleum and soybeans increase y/y

China's April petroleum imports rose yearonyear, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Thursday, while those of soybeans jumped 18% as purchasers purchased abundant and inexpensive Brazilian beans from the South American manufacturer.

Overall exports from China grew 1.5% year-on-year, while overall imports increased 8.4%, signalling an encouraging improvement in need in your home and overseas in a boost to an unsteady financial healing.

KEY POINTS:

* Soybeans: April imports at 8.57 mmt, up 18% y/y

* Petroleum: April imports at 44.72 mmt, up 5.45% y/y

* Copper: April imports at 43.8 mt, up 7.5% y/y

* Coal: April imports at 45.25 mmt, up 11% y/y

* Iron ore: April imports at 101.82 mmt, up 12.6% y/y

* Unusual earths: April exports at 4,566 mt, down 0.2% y/y

Preliminary table of commodity trade information

Below are remarks from experts on the products information.

TALK ABOUT PETROLEUM

LIN YE, ANALYST, RYSTAD ENERGY, BEIJING

China's unrefined purchasing decreased on strong crude oil costs and damaged domestic diesel demand. China's unrefined demand is expected to be supported by bigger export quota this year and a. new refinery start-up later on this year.

COMMENT ON IRON ORE

PEI HAO, ANALYST, FREIGHT INVESTOR SERVICES, SHANGHAI

The obvious annual boost is primarily due to a low base. impact - the volume last April is relatively low. But because. there is no big change in the everyday usage of iron ore. amongst Chinese domestic steelmakers, imports in April stayed. high. The second quarter will potentially likewise see relatively. greater imports versus year-ago levels following an annual. increase in the first quarter.

Imports in May might fall as there was an obvious drop in. iron ore shipments from both Australia and some non-mainstream. suppliers from the 2nd half of April.

COMMENT ON COPPER

HE TIANYU, COPPER EXPERT, CRU

The regular monthly decline of copper imports is because of the closed. import arbitrage under higher global costs, which likewise pressed. smelters to lift their exports. Nevertheless, copper imports increased on. a yearly comparison due to much better demand we saw this year.

LINKS: For information, see the official Customs website. ( www.customs.gov.cn). BACKGROUND:. China is the world's greatest petroleum importer and leading buyer of. coal, iron ore and soybeans.

(source: Reuters)