China Breaks Soybean Import Record Amid Trade Tensions, Bolstering Prices

• China imported a record 111.83 million metric tons of soybeans in 2025, a 6.5% increase from the previous year, despite ongoing trade tensions with the US.
• The world's largest soybean buyer strategically purchased large quantities from South America (Brazil and Argentina) in the first half of 2025 to mitigate potential supply disruptions.
• US soybean cargoes were largely avoided due to high tariffs, with strong imports from May to October primarily from South America.
• December 2025 imports rose 1.3% year-on-year to 8.04 million tons, though slightly down from November due to customs delays and limited supply, leading to tight domestic supply and supported prices.
• Soybean imports are projected to soften in January and February 2026, potentially causing price fluctuations, though reduced US-China trade tensions in October offer some improvement.

Why It Matters: China's record 2025 soybean imports highlight strategic stockpiling and supply security amidst trade risks.