With Chinese imports low according to a trade association, farmers are compensating by finding new markets and selling to biofuel makers
2-MIN READ2-MINRalph Jenningsin Portland, OregonPublished: 11:00pm, 12 Aug 2026US soybean growers are “adapting” to a steep decline in China-bound exports by selling to third countries and the American biofuel sector, compensating enough to cause only a small drop in production, according to a top trade association’s chief economist.In November, Beijing committed to buy at least 25 million tonnes of American soybeans annually through 2028, as part of an agreement reached after China stopped the purchases during US President Donald Trump’s trade war in early 2025.But just slightly more than 12 million tonnes of last year’s crop are “on track” to reach China, which usually imports twice that amount per year to rank as the US crop’s top overseas buyer, said Scott Gerlt, chief economist with the American Soybean Association.
One outlet, he said, was increased sales to other foreign buyers and the other was growth in demand from biofuels.
The association represents more than 500,000 soybean farmers, who are concentrated in the US Midwest and cover a combined 83.6 million acres (33.8 million hectares).
In the end, Gerlt said, growers have indicated little change in soybean production.
