China may reduce soybean imports by more than 7% in the new season

The world's largest soybean importer, China, may significantly reduce purchases in the new season amid a decline in the pig population and government programs to reduce dependence on imports, Bloomberg reports.

 

According to the forecast of China's MSG, in the season starting in October 2026, soybean imports will decrease by 7.6% compared to the previous year to 95.5 million tons.

 

The department explains this by the reduction of the pig population, which is being carried out to support local prices, which have fallen to a 15-year low and led to significant losses for farmers. In early 2026, China reduced pork imports by 19%, which reduced the need for feed.

 

At the same time, USDA experts predict that China will increase soybean imports to 114 million tons in the new season.

 

Previously, US authorities stated that by 2028, China would buy at least 25 million tons of soybeans per year.

 

China intends to reduce the content of soybean meal in animal feed from 13% in 2023 to 10% by 2030 through the use of synthetic amino acids and alternative protein sources.

 

The authorities are demanding a reduction in the sow population to 36.5 million, 3.1 million fewer than at the end of 2025. This will also stabilize domestic pork prices, which have fallen due to oversupply.

 

To increase food self-sufficiency, it is planned to reduce dependence on soybean imports by 26% by 2035.

 

China's reduction in soybean purchases will increase pressure on global exporters, especially the United States, which had expected increased supplies to China after 2025. It was previously reported that China has resumed large purchases of soybeans from the United States, but experts believe that demand will be short-lived.