Corn imports show steady growth

Corn imports by China, the world's second-biggest consumer, jumped in December as shipments from Ukraine surged from the previous month.

Total purchases more than doubled from November to 607,323metric tons, of which 393,924 tons were from the eastern European country, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Friday.

"Ukraine may use the exports to China as payments for loans," said Cherry Zhang, an analyst at Shanghai JC Intelligence Co. "Volumes also jumped because of ample supply in Ukraine following the harvesting season."