China’s soybean production ticks up

Agriculture. In its Sept. 26 update, the FAS said generally favorable weather conditions in northern China and slightly higher planted area to 9.96 million hectares had improved production prospects slightly from last season’s 19.91 million tonnes. The FAS maintained its soybean import forecast at 106 million tonnes for 2025-26, unchanged from the previous report and down slightly from a revised estimate of 107 million tonnes in 2024-25 based on totals reported by major exporters. The FAS said its relatively stable forecast for soybean imports is linked to restrained 2% growth in crushing demand and continued efforts by the government to limit import growth for the world’s top purchaser of soybeans. Since the start of the South American shipping season, China has made record purchases from Brazil, while shunning US purchases amid an ongoing trade war. In May 2025, General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) reported its highest ever monthly import of soybeans at 13.9 million ...