China Soybean Imports 2026: Partners, Value and Trends

Key Takeaways

• Brazil dominated China soybean imports 2026, supplying US$21.00 billion across January to July, or 71.05% of value, far ahead of the United States at US$5.25 billion and Argentina at US$1.98 billion, powered by yTrade HS 1201 import data.
• The United States held a 17.76% value share yet a smaller footprint by quantity, which reflects higher per-tonne pricing on US cargoes relative to South American supply.
• Monthly import value swung from a low of US$1.93 billion in March to a high of US$6.34 billion in June, tracking the South American harvest calendar rather than steady month-to-month buying.

Figures in this article come from yTrade's HS 1201 import records for January to July 2026. Explore the full dataset on the yTrade platform.

Which Countries Supply China Soybean Imports in 2026?

Brazil leads China soybean imports by country at US$21.00 billion (71.05%) from January to July 2026, ahead of the United States at US$5.25 billion (17.76%) and Argentina at US$1.98 billion (6.69%), powered by yTrade HS 1201 import records. These three origins supplied more than 95% of China's soybean import value over the period.

HS 1201 is the tariff heading for soybeans, whether or not broken, which keeps this a clean single-commodity ranking. Here is how the top suppliers to Chinese soybean imports rank by value:

• Brazil: US$21.00 billion (71.05% share) — the dominant supplier, providing 44.5 billion units of quantity, more than four times US volume
• United States: US$5.25 billion (17.76% share) — the second supplier, with higher per-tonne pricing that lifts its value share above its volume share
• Argentina: US$1.98 billion (6.69% share) — the third origin, supplying both beans and, more widely, soybean meal and oil to global buyers
• Canada: US$753.20 million (2.55% share) — a mid-tier northern supplier of non-GMO and specialty beans
• Russia: US$361.89 million (1.22% share) — a rising Far East supplier serving northern Chinese crushers

#	Country	Value (US$)	% of Value	Quantity (kg)
1	Brazil	21,004,369,548	71.05%	44,528,902,043
2	United States	5,251,876,295	17.76%	10,779,027,665
3	Argentina	1,977,963,277	6.69%	4,211,542,278
4	Canada	753,197,466	2.55%	1,587,205,919
5	Russia	361,891,211	1.22%	729,465,309
6	Uruguay	177,715,935	0.60%	379,267,730
7	Ukraine	25,798,688	0.09%	50,558,545
8	Ethiopia	6,543,141	0.02%	12,144,000
9	Benin	5,141,914	0.02%	8,959,080

Source: yTrade Global Trade Data Platform - HS 1201 - January–July 2026.

Top #1 China Soybean Import Partner: Brazil — US$21 Billion

Brazil is the anchor of China soybean imports, having overtaken the United States more than a decade ago and widened its lead since. USDA data shows 71% of China's soybean imports came from Brazil, with the share continuing to grow at the expense of the United States on cheaper prices.

Brazilian shipments reached record volumes through mid-2026 as buyers avoided tariffed US supply. China imported 55.1 million tonnes of soybeans from Brazil in the first eight months of 2026, and monthly Brazilian shipments topped 10 million tonnes between June and August.

• Brazil supplied 55.1 million tonnes to China in the first eight months of 2026: against 10.6 million tonnes from the US.
• Monthly Brazilian shipments topped 10 million tonnes from June to August 2026: an unprecedented run.
• Brazil's share rose from 54.4 to 82.3 million tonnes between 2022 and 2025: a steady climb that reset the supplier order

Top #2 China Soybean Import Partner: United States — US$5.3 Billion

The United States is the second source of Chinese soybean imports, though its supply has fallen sharply under tariff pressure. US soybean exports to China plunged 76% in 2025 to US$3.1 billion, down from a US$17.9 billion peak in 2022.

State buyers now drive most US purchases, which changes how the trade works. China's US soybean bookings reached 8.98 million tonnes for 2026-27, more than double a year earlier, but state-owned buyers such as COFCO and Sinograin account for nearly all of it while a 13% tariff keeps private buyers away.

• US soybean exports to China fell 76% in 2025 to US$3.1 billion: down from a US$17.9 billion peak in 2022.
• China booked 8.98 million tonnes of US soybeans for 2026-27: more than double a year earlier, though almost all through state buyers.
• A 13% tariff keeps private Chinese buyers away from US beans: leaving COFCO and Sinograin to carry the volume.

Top #3 China Soybean Import Partner: Argentina — US$2 Billion

Argentina is the third pillar of China soybean imports by country, supplying both whole beans and a large share of the soybean meal and oil that trade globally. As US cargoes thinned and prices climbed, traders lined up supplementary beans from Argentina and Uruguay to offset the absence of typical seasonal US purchases.

South American concentration is the structural theme behind these three partners. Brazil and the United States alone accounted for 92% of China's soybean imports in 2024, which leaves Argentina and Uruguay as the main alternatives when buyers step back from US supply.

• Argentina and Uruguay serve as the main non-US alternatives: traders turned to both as US cargoes thinned in 2026.
• Brazil and the US made up 92% of China's soybean imports in 2024: which narrows sourcing options outside South America, insights from the American Soybean Association.
• China imported 5.1 million tonnes from Argentina in eight months of 2026: a distant third behind Brazil and the US.

Top #4 China Soybean Import Partner: Canada — US$753 Million

Canada ranks fourth in chinese soybean imports, supplying mainly food-grade and non-GMO beans shipped in containers rather than bulk. China is the largest buyer of Canadian soybeans, taking about 1.6 million tonnes worth US$972 million in 2025, which places it well behind the three South American and US majors by volume.

In 2026, China cut its anti-dumping tariff on Canadian canola seed and removed duties on canola meal, which eased wider oilseed tensions, thus, Canadian beans fill a food-grade niche alongside China's much larger crush-grade imports.

• China is the largest buyer of Canadian soybeans: at about 1.6 million tonnes worth US$972 million in 2025.
• Canadian beans serve a food-grade and non-GMO niche: shipped in containers rather than bulk vessels, which separates them from crush-grade supply.
• Canada exports about 65 to 70% of its soybean crop: relying on export markets led by China, which keeps the trade sensitive to policy.

Top #5 China Soybean Import Partner: Russia — US$362 Million

Russia ranks fifth among China's soybean suppliers, its fastest-rising origin as Far East farms expand output for the Chinese market. Russian soybean exports jumped 230% year on year to 1.04 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, with China absorbing roughly 620,000 tonnes, about 60% of the total.

Overland routes give Russia a structural edge into northern China. Russian beans reach Chinese crushers by rail and road rather than long tanker voyages, and rising Russian soymeal exports, up 42% to 496,000 tonnes, underline a push toward value-added oilseed trade, from Commodity Board, so Russia adds a non-seaborne option to China's supply base.

• Russian soybean exports surged 230% to 1.04 million tonnes in H1 2026: with China taking about 60%.
• Overland rail and road routes bypass tanker voyages: which gives Russian beans a logistical edge into northern Chinese crushers.
• Russian soymeal exports rose 42% to 496,000 tonnes: signalling a wider value-added oilseed push toward China.

China's soybean supply order can move within a single harvest cycle. yTrade's trade activity intelligence *lets you follow shipments from Brazil, the US and Argentina into Chinese ports month by month across 5B+ records. Search now.*

What Type of Soybean China Imports Most in 2026?

Whole soybeans under HS 12019019 accounted for US$29.13 billion, or 98.55% of value and 98.63% of quantity, powered by yTrade global trade data. Seed-grade soybeans under HS 12019011 made up the remaining US$429.61 million, which confirms that crush-grade beans rather than planting seed drive the trade.

HS 12019019 is the tariff line for soybeans other than seed, the commodity that feeds China's crushing industry. The two major soybean import types in China are:

1. HS 12019019, soybeans other than seed: US$29.13 billion (98.55% of value) — crush-grade beans for soybean meal and oil production
2. HS 12019011, soybeans for sowing: US$429.61 million (1.45% of value) — seed-grade beans for planting, a small specialty line

#	HS Code	Product	Value (US$)	%
1	12019019	Soybeans, other than seed	29,134,885,880	98.55%
2	12019011	Soybeans, seed for sowing	429,608,379	1.45%

Source: yTrade Global Trade Data Platform - HS 1201 - January–July 2026.

How Much Soybean Does China Import In 2026?

China soybean imports reached US$29.56 billion under HS 1201 from January to July 2026, powered by yTrade import records, led by Brazil at 71.05% of value. USDA forecasts full-year 2026/27 volume at about 108 million tonnes, which keeps China the world's largest soybean importer by a wide margin.

The country's soybean imports 2026 followed a seasonal curve, with monthly value climbing from US$1.93 billion in March to US$6.34 billion in June before easing to US$5.64 billion in July, powered by yTrade HS 1201 import records. Quantity moved in step, from a March low of 4.02 billion units to a June peak of 13.55 billion.

• March: US$1.93 billion (+19.92% YoY) — the seasonal low as crushers ran down stocks before South American arrivals
• April: US$4.03 billion (+50.26% YoY) — the strongest year-on-year gain as Brazilian cargoes landed
• May: US$5.47 billion (-10.23% YoY) — a value decline against a strong 2025 comparison
• June: US$6.34 billion (+18.72% YoY) — the annual peak on record Brazilian shipments
• July: US$5.64 billion (+10.30% YoY) — sustained high-volume buying into midyear

Month (2026)	Value (US$)	Value YoY	Quantity	Quantity YoY
January	3.23B	-10.22%	6.57B	-15.48%
February	2.93B	8.76%	6.11B	4.77%
March	1.93B	19.92%	4.02B	14.72%
April	4.03B	50.26%	8.48B	39.45%
May	5.47B	-10.23%	11.79B	-15.27%
June	6.34B	18.72%	13.55B	10.29%
July	5.64B	10.30%	11.77B	0.91%

Source: yTrade Global Trade Data Platform - HS 1201 - January–July 2026.

China crushes almost every imported bean into soybean meal for animal feed and oil for cooking, which is why crush-grade beans alone carry the trade. That processing demand is enormous, since USDA projects China's soybean crush at 108 million tonnes in the 2025/26 marketing year, insights from the American Soybean Association, and it sets the scale of the country's import need.

That demand answers "Why does China import so much soybean?" despite a large farm sector.

Since domestic output covers only a small share of consumption, imports fill the excess demand for crush, and USDA forecasts China's total soybean imports at 108 million tonnes for 2026/27, from IndexBox citing FAS, which keeps China the world's largest buyer by a wide margin.

Conclusion

China soybean imports in 2026 rest on one dominant partner, with Brazil at US$21.00 billion and 71.05% of value, ahead of the United States at US$5.25 billion and Argentina at US$1.98 billion, almost entirely as crush-grade beans. Monthly value tracks the South American harvest, peaking at US$6.34 billion in June, while tariffs keep US supply reliant on state buyers. With the origin split moving cycle to cycle, yTrade opens the shipment-level records behind every partner, month and HS line so you can see each move as it lands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country supplies most of China's soybeans?

Brazil supplies most of China's soybeans, at US$21.00 billion, or 71.05% of value, from January to July 2026 in yTrade HS 1201 data. Brazil shipped 55.1 million tonnes in the first eight months of 2026, more than four times the US total, as tariffs pushed Chinese buyers toward South American supply.

Why won't China buy more US soybeans?

China limits US soybean purchases because a 13% tariff keeps private buyers away, leaving state firms such as COFCO and Sinograin to book most volume, based on eFeedLink. How much soybean does China import from US has fallen 76% in 2025 to US$3.1 billion, as Brazil offered cheaper beans without the tariff burden.

Why does China import so much soybean?

China imports so much soybean because domestic output covers only a small share of demand, while its crushing industry needs about 108 million tonnes a year for animal feed and cooking oil, insights from the American Soybean Association. Imported beans fill the excess crush demand that local farms cannot meet.