Soybean shipments from Brazil to China have increased significantly as the US agricultural sector faces a decline in exports due to escalating tariffs between the two countries.
In April, Zhejiang Province, China, saw a 48% year-on-year increase in the number of Brazilian soybean shipments arriving at its ports, with around 40 vessels expected to dock at Zhoushan Port, Ningbo, compared to 27 shipments in April 2024. Projections indicate that the port will unload 700,000 tons of Brazilian soybeans in April, up from 530,000 tons in the same month last year.
This shift in supply chains follows the imposition of tariffs by the United States and China on each other’s agricultural products. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported a significant drop in the sales of US agricultural exports, including soybeans and pork. For the week of April 11–17, 2025, net US soybean sales fell by 50% compared to the previous week, while net sales of US pork dropped by 72%.
The changes in the trade flow highlight how the tariffs have affected the US agricultural sector, which has traditionally relied on China as a key market for products like soybeans and pork. Data from the USDA showed that China reduced its soybean purchases from the US, buying only 1,800 tons in the week ending April 17, compared to 72,800 tons in the previous week.
In response to these shifts, China has diversified its sources of agricultural imports, with Brazil becoming a major supplier of soybeans. Between 2016 and 2024, Brazil’s share of China’s soybean imports increased, while the US share declined from 40% to 18%. Additionally, countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Australia have become more prominent suppliers of pork and other agricultural products to China.
The increase in Brazilian soybean shipments and the decline in US agricultural exports reflect the broader impact of the ongoing tariff dispute between the two countries. The tariffs, first initiated by the US in early 2025, have prompted China to seek alternative suppliers for key agricultural products.
Industry experts note that while these changes are significant, both the US and China are continuing to adapt to the shifting trade dynamics. Analysts have suggested that this trend may lead to further diversification in global agricultural trade, particularly for products like soybeans, pork, and beef.
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