Browse Data and Analysis

On April 8, 2025, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Crop Variety Registration Committee (CNCVRC) published a third variety registration list for genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans.

Following the resumption of genetically engineered soybean imports after two years, soybean imports are forecast to rebound to 2 million tons in 2025/26. With a slight increase in domestic production expected, rapeseed imports are forecast to decline.

Post forecasts MY 25/26 China soybean production at 19.8 million metric tons (MMT) and imports at 106 MMT. The production forecast is down slightly from MY 24/25 and the import forecast is up 2 percent year over year.

U.S. soybean exports to Pakistan have resumed after Pakistan removed a 2-year functional ban. On February 18, 2025, Pakistan received its first U.S. soybean shipment of 65,000 tons, and U.S. exporters will soon ship approximately 200,000 more tons.

On March 4, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced it was suspending soybean imports from three U.S. based entities. GACC stated that these suspensions were in response to recent, alleged detections of ergot and seed coating agents in U.S. soybean shipments.

In October 2024, the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) authorized imports of genetically engineered (GE) soybeans for food, feed, and processing. GE soybean imports are expected to resume in 2025, boosting prospects that the 1.5-million-ton import forecast for 2024/25 will be achieved.

Soybean production for MY 24/25 is forecast slightly up at 19.9 million metric tons (MMT) based on higher yield and a planted area of 9.95 million hectares (Mha).

On October 8, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the registration of 30 genetically engineered (GE) corn and soy varieties, including 27 GE corn varieties and three GE soybean varieties.

Forecast soybean production for MY 24/25 is unchanged at 19.6 million metric tons (MMT) based on a planted area of 9.95 million hectares (Mha). Relatively low and declining soybean meal (SBM) prices since the beginning of MY 23/24 could encourage more SBM use in feed production.

Soybean production for MY 24/25 is forecast at 19.6 million metric tons (MMT) based on planted area of 9.95 million hectares (Mha). The relatively low and declining soybean meal (SBM) prices since the beginning of MY 23/24 could encourage more SBM use in feed production.

The 2023 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world during the 2023 calendar year.

While there is still considerable uncertainty regarding implementation, in January 2024 the government approved a system allowing for the resumption of genetically engineered commodity imports.