U.S. soybean shipments to China are finally underway, marking the first exports since May amid months of trade tensions. According to shipping schedules reviewed by Reuters, two cargo vessels departed for grain terminals near New Orleans on Monday to load U.S. soybeans destined for China, while a third vessel is set to carry U.S. sorghum from the Texas Gulf Coast. These shipments follow trade discussions between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea, where China agreed in principle to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of 2025.
The resumption comes after a prolonged period during which China largely avoided U.S. crops, costing American farmers billions in lost trade. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed that China has already placed purchase orders for approximately 1.5 million metric tons of soybeans, signaling the beginning of the planned shipments. While early announcements had suggested smaller volumes, the administration emphasizes that ongoing purchases will continue, with commitments extending to 25 million metric tons annually over the next three years.
The vessels Ocean Harvest and Tokugawa are scheduled to load at terminals in Reserve and Convent, Louisiana, respectively, while the Bungo Queen will load U.S. sorghum in Corpus Christi, Texas. Officials stressed that while the full 12 million metric tons may not be shipped by year-end, the purchase orders demonstrate China’s renewed engagement with the U.S. soybean market.
Secretary Rollins noted that the agreements also aim to diversify sales beyond China, expanding into other key markets such as Japan and the European Union. She cautioned against overreliance on a single buyer, describing China as a “foreign adversary” and emphasizing the importance of broadening U.S. export markets.
The resumption of soybean exports coincides with high-level diplomatic activity. President Trump recently held calls with both President Xi and Japan’s leadership, discussing trade, implementation of agreements, and broader international concerns, including Taiwan and Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that negotiations on complementary deals, such as rare earths trade, remain ongoing but are expected to progress in the coming weeks.
For U.S. farmers and grain traders, the restart of shipments represents a critical step toward recovering lost market access, stabilizing prices, and restoring confidence after months of uncertainty in the soybean sector.
