Imports of soybeans in oil mills have been increasing with large soybean arrivals in recent months for profitable crush margins, but in real terms, about 120 vessels loaded with 7,839,500 tonnes of imported soybeans arrived at China’s ports in January 2018, according to Cofeed, down 11.27% as compared to 8,835,400 tonnes in December and lower than former estimates of 8,088,900 tonnes. That mainly results from 5 new vessels of soybeans but 7 delayed vessels in early expectation, therefore actual arrivals of soybeans are lower than expectation. And latest estimates of soybean arrivals in February are changed to 5.8 Mln tonnes from 5.9 Mln tonnes last week, 6.9 Mln tonnes for March imports from estimated 7 Mln tonnes last week. Generally speaking, operating rate remains high with full operation as far as possible seeing sufficient soybean supplies and large volume to be implemented in contracts. Moreover, national soybean crush this week keep at a high level though operating rate is a tad lower than last week, in detail, crush totals 1,907,000 tonnes (1,506,530 tonnes of soybean meal, 343,260 tonnes of soybean oil), down 4.41% or 88,050 tonnes from 1,995,050 tonnes attained in the week before. Soybean stocks in the days ahead may pile up based on increasing output and sluggish market demand after finished stockpiles in the run-up to holidays, and what is worse, soybean oil demand will go weaker even after the holidays, therefore, stock consumption will be troublesome.