U.S. Soybean Exports In 2026 Show 27% Increase After Abysmal 2025

BusinessPolicyU.S. Soybean Exports In 2026 Show 27% Increase After Abysmal 2025ByKen Roberts,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Two decades analyzing U.S. trade data by port, country, export, importFollow AuthorApr 24, 2026, 05:00am EDTU.S. soybean exports increased in value in the first two months of 2026 when compared to the first two months of 2025, which had been the worst year in nearly two decades.ustradenumbers.comThere’s a glimmer of hope in the latest U.S. Census Bureau data for badly battered American soybean farmers, who endured the worst year in nearly two decades and an unprecedented five consecutive months without any sales to China.The 27.09% increase through the first two months of 2026 is led by a 79.66% increase in shipments to China, according to my analysis of the latest data. In fact, while exports to China increased $1.09 billion over the same two months in 2025, exports to the rest of the world actually decreased, down $141.13 million.U.S. soybean exports to China fell to just 18.70% of the total in 2025, one of only three times in the last 17 years where the percentage was below 50%.ustradenumbers.comFor the first two months of 2026, the percentage of soybeans headed to China is back above 50% of total U.S. exports.ustradenumbers.comChina is important because it has accounted for more than 50% of all U.S. soybean sales for 14 of the previous 17 years. The 2025 percentage fell to 18.70%, the second lowest percentage since 2003, just after China’s ascension to the World Trade Organization and easier access to global trade.MORE FOR YOUThe first two months of the year are important because they are the tail end of the U.S. soybean season, which runs from September through March, more or less. It then shifts to Brazil. Brazil is now the world’s largest producer and exporter. Over the last decade, its market share of global output has increased from just over 30% to better than 42% while the U.S. outpu...