Brazil expects record soybean exports to China

Brazilian soybean producers expect shipments to China to remain at historically high levels in the coming months. Aprosoja Brasil President Lucas Beber said China remains the key market for the industry, while Brazil has ample supplies following a record harvest to maintain strong export volumes.

In June, China imported 12.08 mln tons of soybeans from Brazil, up 13.7% year-on-year. At the same time, Chinese imports of U.S. soybeans fell 20.9% to 1.27 mln tons. According to Aprosoja Brasil, China’s imports of Brazilian soybeans reached 34.75 mln tons over the corresponding period, up 9.1% year-on-year.

According to Brazil’s Comex Stat data, 48.32 mln tons of soybeans were shipped to China in January-June, compared with 48.41 mln tons during the same period of 2025. Meanwhile, Brazil’s total soybean exports reached a first-half record of 69.57 mln tons. The difference between Brazilian and Chinese statistics reflects different timing for recording shipments, cargo arrivals and customs clearance.

China is strategically important for Brazil’s soybean industry. In 2025, the country purchased 85.4 mln tons of Brazilian soybeans, accounting for around 79% of Brazil’s total soybean exports. Aprosoja Brasil stressed that trade relations between the two countries are structural and long-term, with China providing large and stable demand while Brazil offers substantial and competitive supplies.

Brazil harvested a record soybean crop of around 180.6 mln tons in 2026, while exports are forecast to reach an all-time high of 116.3 mln tons this year. This should allow Brazil to maintain strong shipments to China in the coming months, although competition in the Chinese market traditionally increases in the second half of the year as new-crop supplies from the Northern Hemisphere become available.

Tags: China, Brazil, soybean