The United States supplied 21% of China’s soybean imports in calendar year 2024, while Brazil supplied more than 70%, according to World Bank data cited by the Associated Press. Brazil’s price advantage and expanding supply help explain the shift, but the reported shares should be read as attributed figures: the underlying World Bank series and calculation are not specified in the AP report.
What the 21% figure measures
The 21% figure is the U.S. share of China’s soybean imports in calendar 2024, as AP reported it from World Bank data. AP reported Brazil’s share at more than 70% for the same period. These figures describe China’s import sourcing, not the U.S. share of global soybean trade or the amount of soybeans China bought in a particular marketing year.
The exact World Bank series, denominator definition, and calculation behind the reported percentages are not identified in the available AP account. Treat the figures as reported statistics, not as a newly verified calculation. USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) separately puts the U.S. share of global soybean trade at 26% in 2023/24; that is a different market and period, so it should not be compared directly with the 2024 China share.
Why Brazil gained ground
Price and currency
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Beijing identifies Brazil’s persistent price advantage as a major reason its share of China’s soybean imports has grown. USDA ERS also points to the weak Brazilian real as a factor that can improve the competitiveness of Brazilian exports. Buyers weigh delivered prices, not just the price at origin, so currency movements can affect which supplier offers the better deal.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- High Yield Bush Growth: midori giant edamame seeds form 24-36 inch nitrogen-fixing bushes, rewarding vegetable garden growers in USDA 3-9 with crunchy pods rich in complete protein.
- Fast Germination: soybean seeds for planting sprout in 5-10 days at 70-90 °F, letting home garden beginners harvest tender edamame in just 80 days while heirloom seeds thrive in loamy soil.
- Nutrient-Rich Snack: soy beans deliver sweet nutty flavor and buttery texture; boil or freeze for soy-protein snacks, soy bean seeds to plant are ideal for survival gardening fans seeking clean non gmo edamame.
- Easy Direct Sow: edamame seeds for planting outdoors need 1" depth and 12" spacing, no trellis required; bush habit suits containers or raised beds, making veggie seeds ideal for small spaces.
- Disease-Smart Cultivation: edamame seeds to plant resist common pests when grown in full sun and evenly moist soil; gardening kit growers mulch to conserve water and pick bright green pods before they yellow.
More production and export capacity
Brazil has expanded soybean-growing area and invested in production and marketing-chain infrastructure, according to USDA ERS. Those investments support its ability to supply large export volumes and move them to market. USDA FAS Beijing describes the longer-term shift directly: “In recent years Brazil’s share of the Chinese soybean import market has grown at the expense of the United States.”
Harvest timing and purchasing terms
China’s import choices also reflect seasonal availability, relative prices, credit and delivery terms, local preferences, and quality, USDA ERS says. Harvest timing matters because the supply available from each origin changes over the year. USDA FAS Beijing also highlights seasonal shipping windows when discussing competitiveness. A buyer’s decision is therefore not determined by one headline price or by production totals alone.
Rank #2
- Your hunt is in the bag - we deliver more quality seed for your money!
- Certified seed for maximum growth and attractant
- 1 bag (5 lbs) plants approximately 1/10 acre
- High protein and highly preferred forage for deer
- Non-GMO - ideal for mixing with other food plot seeds
U.S. supply and domestic demand
Rising U.S. domestic soybean use has weighed on exports, USDA ERS notes. When more of the crop is used at home, less may be available for export markets, all else equal. The available figures do not quantify how much this factor contributed specifically to the U.S. share of China’s imports in calendar 2024.
Keep calendar-year shares separate from marketing-year volumes
A later USDA FAS Beijing report gives a different kind of statistic: U.S. soybean arrivals in China totaled 22.9 million metric tons in marketing year 2024/25, down 8% from the previous marketing year. This is a volume for a marketing-year period, not a calendar-year market share. It cannot be used as the denominator for, or a direct confirmation of, AP’s 21% calendar-year figure.
Rank #3
- Productive - Chiba Green Soybean germinates in 10-14 days when soil temps are 65-75°F. Plant 1” deep and space 4-6” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 1-3’ tall with a spread of 12-16”. Beans will mature in 65-75 days, plant in USDA zones 3-10.
- Good Eats - Harvest when pods are green and enjoy edamame or allow the pods to dry and shell to eat them boiled or steamed.
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
Trade reports also differ in what they count and when. USDA FAS Beijing says discrepancies between China’s reported arrivals and exporters’ combined departures make import forecasting difficult. For historical country-and-commodity trade data, USDA ERS directs users to FAS’s Global Agricultural Trade System.
What later tariffs do—and do not—explain
USDA FAS Beijing’s 2025 analysis discusses additional Chinese tariffs announced in March 2025 and their expected effects on later U.S. competitiveness and shipping windows. Because those measures came after calendar 2024, they are later context, not an explanation for the 21% share reported for 2024. More generally, trade-policy costs can influence supplier comparisons, but the period must match the claim.
Rank #4
- Beautiful - Large full-color packet of Chiba Green Soybean (glycine max) seeds. These useful legumes have deep roots that fix nitrogen to the soil and help the plants survive heat and dry periods. Excellent cover crop and food source for a variety of animals such as deer, cattle, rabbits and chickens. Minimum of 13 g per packet (about 40 seeds).
- Productive - Chiba Green Soybean germinates in 10-14 days when soil temps are 65-75°F. Plant 1” deep and space 4-6” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 1-3’ tall with a spread of 12-16”. Beans will mature in 65-75 days, plant in USDA zones 3-10.
- Good Eats - Harvest when pods are green and enjoy edamame or allow the pods to dry and shell to eat them boiled or steamed.
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
How to compare soybean suppliers fairly
A meaningful supplier comparison needs more than a single market-share percentage. The factors identified by USDA ERS and USDA FAS Beijing include:
- Delivered price and currency: Compare costs at destination and account for exchange-rate effects.
- Seasonal availability: Consider when each origin’s crop and export shipments are available.
- Production and logistics capacity: Look at the ability to produce, transport, and export the required volume.
- Commercial terms and product needs: Include credit, delivery terms, local preferences, and quality.
- Trade-policy costs: Apply tariffs and other relevant policy costs to the correct period.
These factors explain why market share can shift without any one cause accounting for the whole change. The cited reporting establishes Brazil’s price advantage and longer-term expansion as important context, but it does not assign a precise portion of the 2024 shift to each factor.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Best Value
- HEIRLOOM VARIETY & HIGH YIELD: Outsidepride soy bean seeds is a robust heirloom strain known for its high yield, producing over 3 bushels per acre more than the popular Manokin variety, making it a valuable choice for maximizing harvest output. This variety is perfect for outdoor gardening enthusiasts looking to optimize their yard space.
- RICH IN PROTEIN & OIL WITH VERSATILE USES: Containing about 18% oil and 38% protein, this soybean variety is perfect for producing high-quality soy bean oil and protein-rich meal. These soybeans can be processed into a wide range of products, including soy milk powder, soy flour, soy protein, tofu, and various industrial non-food products, showcasing its versatility. Ideal for making various soy-based meals such as edamame snacks.
- OPTIMAL PLANTING GUIDELINES FOR MAXIMUM YIELD: For best results, plant soybean seeds at a depth of 0.75 to 1.5 inches, with row spacing between 7.5 and 15 inches, depending on soil type and tillage. This ensures uniform seed placement and optimal growth, adapting well to midwestern states and capturing a significant percentage of non-GMO acres.
- HIGH-PROTEIN ANIMAL FEED: The high-protein fiber left after oil extraction is ideal for animal feed, particularly for poultry and swine industries, which consume over half of the processed soybean meal. This meal is also crucial for cattle, other farm animals, and pets, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for growth and development. A great addition to feed mixes for cowpeas and other legumes.
- ECONOMIC AND NUTRITIONAL: As the most economically important bean globally, soybeans provide essential vegetable protein for millions and are key ingredients in hundreds of chemical products. A 60-pound bushel of our soybeans seed yields about 11 pounds of crude soybean oil and 47 pounds of soybean meal. Beneficial for producing shelf-stable goods for long-term use.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
