China has halted soybean and corn imports from the United States since mid-January, according to a report by Nikkei Asia citing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data. The suspension comes amid escalating trade concerns, though the move precedes recent tariff-related disputes.
While the U.S. remains a key supplier, China imported over 27 million tonnes of American soybeans worth $12.8 billion in 2024, accounting for half of total U.S. exports. However, recent shifts signal a pivot toward Brazilian suppliers. The Brazilian Soybean Producers Association revealed China signed contracts for 2.4 million tonnes of Brazilian soybeans this month—equivalent to a third of the country’s typical monthly consumption.
Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, emphasized China’s importance in a recent interview with CGTN: “China is a market that we don’t want to lose.” The statement underscores growing unease among U.S. agricultural stakeholders as global trade dynamics shift.
