China Sees Its Soy Imports Sliding Just as US Farmers Eye Deals

China, the world’s top soybean importer, expects purchases to slump in the coming season as its pig herd declines, heightening competition for market share just as the US seeks to ramp up sales.

The country’s purchases in the season that starts in October are seen dropping 7.6% from the prior year to 95.5 million tons, the agriculture ministry said in its monthly China Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report. That would be at least a second straight annual decline in a market global farmers have historically counted on for steady growth. Consumption in 2026-27 will also fall by about 6%. ...