Soybean price stable despite tariff dispute

Other sources of imports have helped fill gap; alternatives could also contribute

The price of soybeans did not see big fluctuations last year, despite the drastic fall of imports from the United States following a tariff increase, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday.

Prices of imported soybeans in China increased by 6 percent between January and November last year, from 3.34 yuan to 3.54 yuan ($0.49 to $0.52) per kilogram, before falling to 3.42 yuan per kilo in December, Tang Ke, chief of market and information at the ministry, said at a news conference.