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U.S. Soybean Exporters Battle Brazil for Dominance in China’s Critical Market

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U.S. Soybean Exporters Battle Brazil for Dominance in China’s Critical Market

The U.S. Soybean Export Council showcased its booth during the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing on June 22, 2026.

BEIJING — As Brazil captures an expanding share of China’s soybean imports from American suppliers, the U.S. is aggressively promoting its crop quality to regain market position in the world’s largest soybean market.

“Soybean production in North America versus South America differs significantly,” Carlos Salinas, executive director for East Asia at the U.S. Soybean Export Council, explained during a half-day conference focused on advancing a sustainable U.S.-China soybean supply chain. The event was jointly organized with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

Salinas highlighted climatic differences between regions, noting rainfall levels 30 days before harvest in Brazil versus Illinois in the U.S. — 231 millimeters compared to just 72 millimeters — arguing these factors directly influence crop quality.

JIm Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, emphasized the importance of buyer education regarding evolving quality and nutritional standards, particularly for animal feed applications.

American soybeans have increasingly become a focal point in U.S.-China trade negotiations. Beijing’s shift toward Brazilian and Argentine suppliers stems partly from trade tensions and efforts to ensure domestic food security.

According to Chinese customs data, Brazil and the U.S. each supplied roughly 40% of China’s soybean imports a decade ago. However, Brazil dramatically increased its share beginning in 2018 following U.S. tariff measures.

From January to May 2026, Brazil supplied over 60% of China’s soybean imports, the U.S. contributed 23%, and Argentina accounted for 10%.

U.S. soybean exports to China dropped 76% in 2025 to $3.1 billion, down from $17.9 billion in 2022. Nevertheless, soybeans remained America’s top agricultural export to China at 7.37 million metric tons.

Recent progress includes China’s commitment to purchase at least 25 million metric tons annually of U.S. soybeans for each of the past three marketing years, following bilateral agreements concluded after President Trump’s meetings with President Xi Jinping.

The U.S. reported private exporter sales of 132,000 metric tons for delivery to China in the marketing year ending August 2027, with additional volumes likely destined for China under different labeling.

Interest among Chinese buyers appears cautiously optimistic. “We’re seeing nearly a million metric tons committed for harvest this September,” noted Jerry Slocum, director of the Soybean Board and a Mississippi farmer.

Darrell Irwin, a University of Connecticut sociology lecturer who participated in recent U.S.-China agricultural visits, observed that bilateral agricultural cooperation remains well below 2019 levels despite encouraging developments.

Moving forward, U.S. export volumes are projected to remain between 25 million and 30 million metric tons annually before potentially rising toward 40 million metric tons in later years.

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