China imported a record amount of soybeans in June

According to Reuters calculations, China’s soybean imports in June reached a record high of 13.55 million tonnes, up 10.5% from 12.26 million tonnes a year earlier and 14.9% from May.

“This is mainly due to Brazil’s record soybean harvest and its massive shipments, as well as the clearance of previously delayed cargo at ports,” said Liu Jinlu, agricultural analyst at Guoyuan Futures.

Imports from January to June totaled 50.15 million tonnes, up 1.5% from a year earlier.

Liu expects monthly shipments in July and August to average over 10 million tonnes, and that annual imports could approach or slightly exceed the 2025 record if the current pace continues.

“Key factors to watch are Sino-US relations, the pace of Brazilian exports, and the recovery of domestic demand for livestock products,” she said. US supplies are expected to continue after Beijing resumed purchasing US soybeans late last year.

Between January and May, China imported 8.38 million tonnes of US soybeans.

Purchases of the new US soybean crop have also increased in recent weeks following the summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on May 14-15. The summit reaffirmed China’s commitment to purchase 25 million tonnes of US soybeans annually through 2028.

Tags: China, soybean, imports