The US has increased its soya bean exports to markets outside China by 9 %

The United States is stepping up efforts to diversify soybean exports amid shifts in global trade and ongoing trade tensions with China. According to data presented at the Soy Connext 2026 conference in Chicago, U.S. soybean shipments to markets outside China increased by 9% year-on-year in the MY 2025/26. Expanding the geography of exports has become a key strategy for the U.S. soybean industry.

The trend could continue in 2026/27. Combined U.S. exports of whole soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil are projected to increase by around 5%. Additional export opportunities could come from an expected record U.S. soybean crop of 4.5 billion bushels, or approximately 122.5 mln tons.

At the same time, the United States is expanding domestic soybean crushing capacity. Higher processing volumes are expected to increase the availability of U.S. soybean meal on the global market, strengthening the industry’s push to find new importers and expand sales across Asia and other regions.

Nepal is one example of the expanding presence of U.S. soy in international markets. In fiscal year 2025/26, about 92% of Nepal’s soybean imports originated from the United States. Greater availability of U.S. soybean meal could be particularly important for Nepal, where demand for protein feed ingredients is growing alongside the poultry, livestock and aquaculture sectors.

At Soy Connext 2026, U.S. industry representatives held talks with international buyers on new supplies, logistics and specific market requirements. The conference brought together more than 800 participants, including around 400 international buyers from 67 countries, reflecting the U.S. soybean industry’s efforts to broaden its export destinations and reduce dependence on individual major markets.

Tags: USA, China, export, soybean