China's soybean imports dipped by 5.5 percent year-on-year to 33.58 million tons during the first eight months, while the average import price went up by 31.2 percent to $574.8 per ton, says data from the customs.

The soybean price hike in the global market added to inflation pressures in China, the National Business Daily quoted analysts as saying.

Imported soybeans account for over 80 percent of China's total consumption, filling the gap between declining domestic output and increasing demand for soybean oil, analysts said.

By Sun Yuanqing