China, the world's biggest soybean importer, purchased the most soybeans in seven months in June as higher cooking-oil prices helped processing margins, while concern that South American supplies may drop spurred demand.

Shipments rose 6.4 percent to 5.62 million metric tons from 5.28 million tons in May, and compared with 4.3 million tons a year earlier, according to data posted on Tuesday on the website of the Beijing-based customs authority.

In the first six months, imports climbed 22.5 percent to 29 million tons, customs said.