Breaking News-RTRS-Interview-China soyberan imports seen short of forecast

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Soybean purchases next year by China, the biggest importer of the commodity, could fall as much as six percent short of an estimated 36 million tonnes, hit by a bumper domestic crop and slowing demand, a leading industry analyst said.

John Baize, a U.S.-based farm analyst who specialises in oilseeds, said China's soybean output next year was expected to be 17 to 18 million tonnes, above a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimate of 16 million-16.5 million tonnes.