Fearing deflated China demand, US soybean growers pivot to new buyers and biofuel

AI Summary

US soybean growers are adjusting to reduced demand from China by redirecting exports to other countries and the biofuel sector. This adaptation helps maintain production levels despite the decline in China-bound shipments tied to previous trade agreements.

US 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...