/Reuters Agency
China did not import soybeans from the United States in September 2025, establishing the first time shipments have fallen to zero since November 2018. The Asian country is the world’s largest buyer of soybeans.
Meanwhile, purchases from South America increased compared to the previous year, as traders seek to avoid paying the tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration.
Imports last month from the North American nation fell to zero from 1.7 million metric tons the previous year, according to data published by China’s General Administration of Customs.
Shipments decreased due to the high tariffs China has imposed on imports from the United States and because previously harvested U.S. supplies, known as old-crop soybeans, have already been traded.
“This is mainly due to the tariffs. In a typical year, some old-crop beans would still enter the market,” said Wan Chengzhi, an analyst at Capital Jingdu Futures.
Arrivals from Brazil last month increased 29.9% year-on-year, reaching 10.96 million tons, accounting for 85.2% of China’s total soybean imports, according to customs data.
Meanwhile, shipments from Argentina grew 91.5%, reaching 1.17 million tons, or 9% of the total.
China’s soybean imports reached 12.87 million metric tons in September, the second highest level on record.
China has not purchased any U.S. soybean cargoes from this autumn’s harvest. The window for buying U.S. soybeans is closing rapidly, as buyers secure shipments through November, primarily from Brazil and Argentina, favored by a brief tax exemption in Argentina.
Without progress in trade negotiations, U.S. farmers could face billions of dollars in losses, while Chinese processors continue to source from South America.
Beijing, however, could face a potential supply shortage early next year, before new Brazilian harvests reach the market.
“A gap in soybean supply in China could emerge between February and April next year if there is no trade deal. Brazil has already shipped a huge volume, and no one knows how much old-crop stock is left,” said Johnny Xiang, founder of Beijing-based AgRadar Consulting.
Trade negotiations between Beijing and Washington appear to be regaining momentum after weeks of new tariff threats and export controls. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he believed a deal on soybeans would be reached.
During the January-September period, China imported 63.7 million tons from Brazil, a 2.4% year-on-year increase, and 2.9 million tons from Argentina, a 31.8% increase from the previous year.
Although Chinese buyers are avoiding this year’s U.S. crop, purchases made earlier in 2025 have raised cumulative U.S. soybean imports to 16.8 million tons, representing a 15.5% increase, according to the data.
