China increased soybean imports to a record high in 2025

In 2025, China increased soybean imports by 6.5% compared to the previous year to a record 111.83 million tons due to active purchases from South America, Reuters reports, citing data from Chinese customs.

 

In the first half of 2025, China refused to buy soybeans from the United States due to high tariffs, but in October it resumed purchases, purchasing almost 10 million tons of American soybeans, and plans to increase supplies.

 

The trade war with the US has forced Chinese buyers to increase soybean imports from South America in 2025. Significant soybean shipments from Brazil and Argentina in the first half of 2025 helped boost annual imports to a record level.

 

According to Reuters estimates, soybean shipments in December increased by 1.3% compared to the same period last year to 8.04 million tons.

 

Recall that the USDA predicts that in the 2025/26 MY, the soybean harvest in Brazil will increase by 3.2% compared to the previous season to a record 177 million tons, and exports will increase by 3.7% to a record 113 million tons.

 

At the same time, the Brazilian association ANEC has a much more pessimistic forecast and expects a reduction in soybean supplies to China by 10 million tons.