Togo could soon gain access to China’s soybean market. China’s ambassador to Togo, Wang Min, said that the approval process is nearing completion and that exports could begin once the final procedural steps are cleared.
Soybeans already play a strategic role in Togo’s agricultural economy. The country is among the leading exporters of organic soybeans to the European Union, supported by better-organized value chains and the gradual tightening of quality standards across the sector.
Formal access to the Chinese market would create new growth opportunities for the industry. Diversifying export destinations could encourage fresh investment, strengthen demand, and support the development of local processing capacity. China’s interest reflects its heavy reliance on imports, as the country is the world’s largest soybean buyer, accounting for an estimated 60–70% of globally traded volumes.
The announcement comes amid strengthening ties between Beijing and Lomé. In 2024, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and in 2025 bilateral trade expanded sharply. From January to September, trade turnover reached $4 billion, up 56.4%, while Togolese exports to China increased fivefold, supported by Beijing’s zero-tariff policy on eligible African products. No timetable has yet been announced for final approval of the soybean access protocol, but Chinese authorities say the final phase is underway.
