For the first time in seven years, China imported no soybeans from the US.

VTV.vn - In September 2025, China imported no soybeans from the US at all, marking the first time since November 2018 that the import turnover of this item from the US was zero.

Farmers harvest soybeans at a farm in Scribber, Nebraska, USA. (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

In contrast, imports from South America surged year-on-year, as Chinese buyers actively avoided US agricultural products due to trade tensions between the world's two largest economies .

According to data released by China's General Administration of Customs on October 20, soybean imports from the United States fell to zero last month, compared with 1.7 million tons in the same period last year. The decline is attributed to two main factors. First, the high tariffs China is imposing on imports from the United States. Second, the supply of soybeans from the previous harvest of US soybeans (also known as old-crop soybeans) has been basically sold out. China is the world's largest importer of soybeans.

Meanwhile, customs data showed that imports from Brazil last month jumped 29.9% year-on-year to 10.96 million tonnes, accounting for 85.2% of China's total soybean imports. Meanwhile, soybean imports from Argentina rose 91.5% to 1.17 million tonnes, or 9% of total imports. China's total soybean imports in September 2025 reached 12.87 million tonnes, the second-highest level on record.

During the January-September period this year, China imported 63.7 million tons of soybeans from Brazil, up 2.4% year-on-year, and 2.9 million tons from Argentina, up 31.8% year-on-year. The data also showed that although Chinese buyers are holding back on buying soybeans from the new US harvest, thanks to transactions made in early 2025, total US soybean imports so far this year still reached 16.8 million tons, up 15.5%.

So far, China has not purchased any soybeans from the US fall crop. The window for US agricultural products is closing, as Chinese importers have already closed orders through November, mainly from two major suppliers, Brazil and Argentina. Notably, Argentina’s temporary tax incentives have also contributed to this trend.

Without a breakthrough in trade talks, American farmers could face billions of dollars in losses as Chinese crushers continue to source from South America. But China could also face a supply shortage early next year, before Brazil’s new crop hits the market.

Johnny Xiang, founder of Beijing-based consultancy AgRadar, said a soybean supply gap could emerge in China between February and April next year if no trade deal is reached. He said Brazil has shipped a huge amount, and no one knows how much old-crop inventory is left.

Trade talks between China and the United States appear to be showing signs of improvement after weeks of threats of new tariffs and export controls. US President Donald Trump recently said he was confident a deal on soybeans would be reached.

Source: https://vtv.vn/lan-dau-tien-trong-7-nam-trung-quoc-khong-nhap-khau-dau-tuong-tu-my-100251020135015974.htm