Malaysian importers recently bought up to 80,000 tonnes of corn from China for shipment between May and July to replenish depleted stocks in the wake of the viral epidemic that caused the culling of almost one million pigs.

"The corn imports are mainly to replenish stocks and not because of a sudden jump in demand. I believe buyers are quite covered on corn but may still be looking for soymeal," said a grains trader.

One vessel carrying 15,000 tonnes of Chinese corn arrived last week and several more were expected this month, the trader said.

Traders estimated current stocks of corn in Port Klang, Malaysia's main Port, at around 40,000 tonnes. Soymeal stocks were estimated at 20,000 tonnes.

An official at a large Malaysian flour mill said he saw no signs of feed demand improving particularly in the pig industry.

"Itwill take a while for the market to recover. We may still see imports coming in, but the amount will be much reduced," he said.

Corn and soymeal prices in Malaysia were relatively stable. On Tuesday, traders quoted imported corn out of Port Klangat 490 to 500 ringgit a tonne, ex-warehouse price. Imported and local grade soymeal were quoted at 660 ringgit a tonne.

Traders said they expected prices to hold around current levels in the near term. "I don't think prices will move much because there's not much action in the market," said the grains trader.