China Imports No U.S. Soybeans in September, Turns to South America

China imported no soybeans from the United States in September, marking the first time shipments have fallen to zero since November 2018, as the ongoing trade dispute and tariff policies continue to reshape global agricultural markets.

Data released today by China’s General Administration of Customs revealed the complete absence of U.S. soybean imports last month, a sharp decline from the 1.7 million metric tons imported during the same period last year. Instead, China significantly increased its purchases from South America, with Brazilian shipments jumping 29.9% year-on-year to 10.96 million tons, representing 85.2% of total imports, and Argentinian shipments rising 91.5% to 1.17 million tons. The shift is largely attributed to the high tariffs imposed by China on U.S. imports and the availability of previously harvested U.S. supplies.

“This is mainly due to tariffs. In a typical year, some old-crop beans would still enter the market,” explained Wan Chengzhi, an analyst at Capital Jingdu Futures. Overall, China’s soybean imports reached 12.87 million metric tons in September, the second-highest level on record. Experts warn that a potential supply gap could emerge in China between February and April if a trade deal isn’t reached, as Brazil’s new crops won’t be available until later in the year; learn more about China’s trade relationships with the U.S. on the USDA website.

Despite the current lack of purchases from the 2025 harvest, year-to-date imports of American soybeans still total 16.8 million tons, up 15.5% compared to last year, due to earlier purchases. U.S. President Donald Trump stated yesterday that he believes a soybean deal will be reached, signaling a potential easing of tensions. The situation highlights the vulnerability of U.S. farmers to trade disputes and the growing influence of South American producers in the global soybean market; you can find more information on the World Soybean Organization’s website.