NASHVILLE, TN – China’s soybean imports remain near last year’s pace, keeping global demand firm even as Brazil’s seasonal export surge begins to slow, according to retired USDA economist Fred Gale.
China imported 12.14 million metric tons of soybeans in August, slightly below 12.28 million a year earlier. January-through-August imports reached 73.77 million metric tons, just above the 73.33 million imported during the same period in 2025.
Brazil shipped about 7 million metric tons of soybeans to China in August, down from 7.93 million a year earlier. China still accounted for 72% of Brazil’s soybean exports during the month.
Brazil is also finding more demand outside China. August shipments to other destinations doubled to 2.8 million metric tons, while year-to-date exports outside China reached 28 million, up from 20.7 million last year.
The seasonal decline in Brazilian shipments bears watching as U.S. harvest approaches, but China’s overall import pace has changed little from 2025.
Farm-Level Takeaway: China’s soybean demand remains steady as Brazil’s seasonal export pace begins to ease.