China, the world's biggest soybean importer, signed agreements in Iowa to purchase 8.62 million metric tons of the oilseed from the U.S. in a deal valued at $4.31 billion, China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

The deals announced on the ministry's website without elaboration, were signed during Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's U.S. visit.

China's top importers, including Cofco Corp. and China National Grain Reserves Corp, signed deals with top soybean exporters Cargill, Bunge (BG) and Archer Daniel Midland (ADM), traders said.

Traders said they expect the Chinese trade delegation to sign further soybean deals when it reaches Los Angeles.

-Zhoudong Shangguan contributed to this article; Dow Jones Newswires; (8610) 8400 7715; zhoudong.shangguan@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 16, 2012 01:20 ET (06:20 GMT)