China has purchased at least 10 cargoes of U.S. soybeans in deals signed since Tuesday, according to two traders familiar with the transactions, extending a sharp pickup in buying following the recent thaw in U.S.-China trade relations.

All shipments are slated for January loading from U.S. Gulf Coast terminals and Pacific Northwest ports, the traders said.

One trader put the total at 12 cargoes, while the other estimated the volume at roughly 10 to 15 cargoes.