Discover the potential effects of China's new tariffs on US soybean exports, as shipments race against the clock to reach their destination before the additional duties are enforced.

In March 2025, soybean imports to China amounted to approximately 1.61 billion U.S. dollars, decreasing by around 46.4 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. Despite the seasonal fluctuation in soybean imports, China remains the largest soybean importer in the world. Global top market for soybeans As a major oilseed and protein meal product, soybean is very important in the Chinese diet. Traditional food uses of soybeans include soy milk, tofu, and tofu skin. Soybean imports to China have been increasing. In 2024, more than 105 million metric tons of soybeans were imported to China, over ten times as much as the import volume in 2000. The global soybean import volume amounted to around 172 million metric tons in 2023/24. In addition, China’s domestic soybean oil demand reached around 17.8 million metric tons in 2023. Brazil – China's largest soybean supplier Soybean is Brazil’s main export commodity. In 2023, Brazil held the top rank as China’s largest soybean supplier with a market share of about 69 percent. The United States and Argentina were also among the top three soybean supplying countries to China. In 2023, Brazilian soybean exports to China amounted to around 39 billion U.S. dollars. Soybean production in Brazil was forecasted to amount to over 158 million metric tons in 2024, and it was expected to exceed 169 million tons by 2033. Additionally, the harvesting area of soybeans was forecasted to exceed 45.4 million hectares by then.

Discover how China's acquisition of Brazilian soybeans is reshaping its strategy amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. Learn about the implications for global markets.

Soybean exports from Brazil to China amounted to 38.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, an increase of around 22 percent in comparison to the previous year. China is by far the leading destination for Brazilian soybean exports, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the export value.

The United States is a major producer of soybeans worldwide, with China importing the largest amount of U.S. grown soybeans of any country as of 2021. In that year, China imported nearly 14.15 billion metric tons of soybeans from the United States.

Soy foods Soybeans are naturally high in protein and hence a popular ingredient in vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Soy milk is a vegan and lactose-free alternative to cow’s milk, and soy sauce features heavily in East Asian cuisine. Tofu, tempeh, and miso are also all derived from soy. In the United States, the market value of soy food is expected to reach 9.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2020, up from 4.6 billion dollars in 2014.

Soybean production in the United States The United States produces the highest volume of soybeans of any country, at around 120 million metric tons in 2020/2021. In the previous year, the total value of U.S. soybean production amounted to about 39.13 billion U.S. dollars. Within the United States, the states with the most soybean cultivation are located in the Midwest. Illinois topped the list with over 673 million bushels of soybeans produced in 2021.

United States Imports from China of Soybean oil and its fractions, not chemically modified was US$72.61 Thousand during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Imports from China of Soybean oil and its fractions, not chemically modified - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

U.S. soybean exports could fall by 20% amid ongoing trade tensions with China, affecting prices and market dynamics.

Discover how China navigates trade tensions by importing U.S. soybeans despite high tariffs, focusing on strategic relations and competition with Brazil.

Soybeans fell to 1,027.21 USd/Bu on June 30, 2025, down 0.05% from the previous day. Over the past month, Soybeans's price has fallen 0.61%, and is down 11.17% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Soybeans - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

The US soybean farming industry is navigating significant changes in the current period, with soybean prices determining the initial rise and recent decline in industry performance. These prices have been influenced by several key factors, including the growing demand for biofuels and mixed consumer perceptions regarding soy products. The demand for soybean oil in biofuel production surged due to supportive policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard and rising crude oil prices, creating a lucrative market for soybean producers. However, subsequent drops in fertilizer and crude oil prices, paired with record-high soybean production, have sharply dropped soybean prices, bringing revenue and profit down with them as farmers struggle to balance costs with lower incomes. Industry has shrunk a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%, with a decrease of 8.7% in 2025, reaching an estimated $44.2 billion. US soybean exports are facing mounting challenges due to competitive pressures abroad and quickly evolving trade policy. Brazil’s increased production and improved export infrastructure have strengthened its position as a major supplier, particularly to China, which is reducing its reliance on US soybeans. This shift threatens US exports and compels American farmers to reassess their strategies, focusing on market diversification and emphasizing quality and sustainability to remain competitive. Rising geopolitical tensions and newly imposed tariffs, such as those affecting key markets like the EU, Canada and China, have further complicated trade, impacting US farmers' access and pricing power in these vital markets. Through the end of 2025, soybean prices are initially projected to decline due to increased production and growing global supplies. However, as climate change impacts crop yields through extreme weather and pest challenges and supplies become limited prices will be pushed upward alongside rising global demand. Subsidies will continue to play a vital role in supporting farmer incomes amids these fluctuations, providing some stability to an otherwise highly volatile industry. However, the industry faces significant uncertainty due to the ongoing USDA funding freeze is creating significant uncertainty, particularly where government support and subsidies are concerned. This freeze is affecting a wide range of agricultural programs including conservation efforts, market development, research and technical assistance. Over the next five years, the industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.3%, with revenues reaching $47.1 billion by the end of 2030.

This statistic shows the amount of soybeans exported from the U.S. between 2011/12 and 2023/24. For 2023/24, an export of just under two million bushels is forecast. This would constitute a slight decrease from the 1.99 million bushels exported in 2022/23.

In 2024, Chinese exports of trade goods to the United States amounted to about 438.95 billion U.S. dollars; a significant increase from 1985 levels, when imports from China amounted to about 3.86 billion U.S. dollars. U.S. exports to China Compared to U.S. imports from China, the value of U.S. exports to China in 2020 amounted to 427.23billion U.S. dollars. China is the United States’ largest trading partner, while China was the United States third largest goods export market. Some of the leading exports to China in the agricultural sector included soybeans, cotton, and pork products. Texas was the leading state that exported to China in 2020 based on total value of goods exports, at 16.9 billion U.S. dollars. U.S. - China trade war The trade war between the United States and China is an economic conflict between two of the world’s largest national economies. It started in 2018 when U.S. President Donald Trump started putting tariffs and trade barriers on China, with the intent to get China to conform to Trump’s wishes. President Trump claimed that China has unfair trade businesses. As a result of this trade war, it has caused a lot of tension between the U.S. and China. Nearly half of American companies impacted by the U.S.-China trade tariffs said that the trade war increased their cost of manufacturing. The healthcare product industry has suffered the most from the trade war in regards to reduced profits.

U.S. farmers are concerned that the recent tariff pause with China may not boost soy sales, as Brazil maintains a competitive edge and some tariffs remain.

United States Exports: 5-Digit: Soybeans data was reported at 12.259 USD bn in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.213 USD bn for 2016. United States Exports: 5-Digit: Soybeans data is updated yearly, averaging 5.689 USD bn from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2017, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.880 USD bn in 2012 and a record low of 0.028 USD mn in 2006. United States Exports: 5-Digit: Soybeans data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.JA078: Trade Statistics: China: Exports: FAS: End Use.

In 2024, China's soybean import volume amounted to approximately 105 million metric tons, representing an increase of about nine percent from 99.41 million metric tons in the previous year. Soybean is one of the most imported agricultural products in China.

5767 United States import shipment records of Soy beans from Cn China with prices, volume & current Buyer’s suppliers relationships based on actual United States import trade database.

Soybean is among the major oilseed and protein meal products. In the 2023/2024 period, around ***** million metric tons of soybeans were imported globally. ***** was by far the leading importer of soybeans, with an annual import volume of approximately *** million metric tons in that year. Global overview Soybeans are grown as a food crop in Eastern Asia and are produced in Western agriculture as a source of both oil and protein. Although the United States and Brazil are the main producers of soybeans, China leads the soybean oil production worldwide.. Soybean market in the US Annual soybean production in the United States has increased to over *** billion bushels in the past few years. Illinois topped the list of major soybean producing U.S. states in 2022, with over *** million bushels produced that year.

China Imports from United States was US$164.59 Billion during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. China Imports from United States - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

Beijing raises tariffs on US farm goods, intensifying trade conflict with a focus on soybeans and other key exports.

11999 United States import shipment records of Soy beans from Cn China with prices, volume & current Buyer’s suppliers relationships based on actual United States import trade database.