China’s imports of crude oil hit monthly records in June, while imports of copper and iron ore slowed from May, preliminary data from China’s customs office showed.

The mixed picture pointed to increasing uncertainty over China’s continued ability to keep sucking in commodities at the levels seen since the start of 2009, when a massive stockpiling and stimulus programme boosted imports.

But there was no question of the strength of China’s appetite for crude oil, with shipments bouncing to 5.42 million barrels per day after faltering in May, rising by almost a quarter to breach 22 million tonnes for the first month ever.

The return to surging imports was in line with a Reuters survey of major Chinese refineries at the start of June, which showed they planned to process as much crude during the month as in April, when refining runs hit a record high.

The rise in imports followed China’s 3 per cent cut in record high retail prices for gasoline and diesel at the end of May, which could have helped spur demand for the fuels.

The big two oil firms, Sinopec and PetroChina drained 3.2 per cent from their fuel stockpiles during the month, implying even stronger demand than apparent from the supply provided by imports and refining activity.

Oil market watchers are also eagerly awaiting the official restart of China’s strategic crude stockpiling programme. China is building a second phase of storage tanks which is expected to start taking delivery of imported oil some time this year, adding further to demand from the world’s No 2 oil consumer.

China’s net imports of fuel also jumped in June, more than doubling from May to 1.16 million tonnes. But customs gave no breakdown for different fuels, leaving an impression of rising demand but little scope for more detailed analysis.

Soybeans also enjoyed record monthly imports in June, with 6.2 million tonnes arriving, about 30 per cent above the previous monthly high in December 2009 but still slightly less than forecast.