With China projected to import a record amount of soybeans this year, it's small wonder that its domestic soybean sector is experiencing a shake-up - with two Chinese companies announcing plans to tighten their relationship.
China is the world's number one consumer of the green bean, buying up over half the total supply, mainly from the US, Brazil and Argentina - the top three producers. Despite being the fourth biggest producer - China is expected to import 52m tonnes this year, though some analysts say that's an understatement.
Against this background, Singapore-listed Chinese soybean product maker Pine Agritech has announced that its main shareholder - Link Crest - is launching a mandatory offer for all the Pine Agritech shares it doesn't already control (around 60 per cent), in a deal worth around $230m.