China's 340,000-ton soybean sale leaves 2026/27 buying near half the pledge
USDA reported 340,000 metric tons of soybeans sold to China on September 9, 2026; Reuters put China's total U.S. buying near half of a 25 million-ton annual pledge.
November soybeans in Chicago settled at $13.09½ a bushel on Wednesday, below Tuesday's $13.16¼, even as private exporters reported another large U.S. sale to China. January settled at $13.25¼, from Tuesday's $13.32. Teucrium's fund that holds Chicago soybean futures, SOYB, closed at $27.66, down 0.6%.
SOYB closed near its 52-week high
The USDA posting was 340,000 metric tons of 2026/27 soybeans to China and 100,000 tons to unknown destinations. Chinese purchases announced in the first three days of September, after the marketing year opened on September 1, had already reached 530,000 tons. Reuters reported that Wednesday's sales take China's total U.S. soybean buying to nearly half of the 25 million tons a year Beijing pledged through 2028.
Private Chinese crushers have stayed out of U.S. cargoes. China still levies a 10% additional tariff on American farm goods, including soybeans. State traders have been the buyers. Processors are watching whether President Xi Jinping's expected visit to Washington this month produces a cut. Friday's USDA supply-and-demand report is the nearer date on the calendar.
A tariff cut is what crushers say would bring them back to U.S. beans. Until bookings cover the rest of that 25 million tons, or that duty comes off, one more September sale does not settle whether Beijing stays on the pledge.
Frequently asked
Why did soybean futures fall on a day with a big China sale?
November soybeans settled lower than the prior day even as exporters reported another large sale, and the Teucrium soybean fund slipped 0.6%.
Who in China is actually buying U.S. soybeans?
State traders have been the buyers, while private Chinese crushers have stayed out of U.S. cargoes.
What would bring private crushers back?
Crushers say a cut to China's 10% additional tariff on American farm goods is what would bring them back to U.S. beans.
What are traders watching next?
Friday's USDA supply-and-demand report, and whether Xi Jinping's expected Washington visit this month produces a tariff cut.