Over 70 Percent of China's Soybean Imports Come from Brazil

12-May-2026 11:29 AM

São Paulo. Situated in Latin America, Brazil is the world's leading producer and exporter of soybeans, while China is its largest importer. During 2025, China imported over 100 million tons of soybeans, with Brazilian oilseeds accounting for nearly three-quarters of this volume. In fact, more than 70 percent of China's soybean imports were sourced from Brazil; consequently, Brazil's total soybean exports surged to a new record high.

Notably, China alone accounts for over 60 percent of global soybean imports. In addition to Brazil, China also imports soybeans from countries such as the United States, Argentina, and the Uruguay-Paraguay region.

In 2025, the ongoing tariff war between the United States and China—combined with the competitive pricing of Brazilian oilseeds—incentivized China to import record volumes of soybeans from Brazil. Chinese importers found the purchase of American soybeans to be an unattractive proposition.

Although the U.S. President is now visiting China—and may attempt to boost exports of agricultural products, including soybeans, during the trip—it appears unlikely that Brazil's dominance over the Chinese soybean market will be significantly affected.

During 2026, soybean production in Brazil surged rapidly to an all-time high, resulting in a massive increase in its exportable stocks. Brazil is currently making every possible effort to further boost its soybean exports.