China’s soybean imports fell slightly in September from a year earlier but were ahead of market expectations, boosted by large volumes from Brazil as buyers tried to shore up stocks. Soybean imports are being closely watched after Beijing in July imposed a 25 percent tariff on U.S. products worth $34 billion, including soybeans, in response to U.S. penalties on Chinese goods worth the same amount. China, the world’s top soybean buyer, brought in 8.01 million tonnes of the oilseed in September, down from 9.15 million tonnes in August and below last year’s 8.11 million tonnes.