The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows that soybean exports to China during the recent government shutdown were relatively modest, falling far short of the 12 million tonnes promised by the White House for 2025. According to the USDA’s daily sales reports released on November 14, the United States sold at least 332,000 tonnes of soybeans to China from October 2 through November 12.
During the same period, an additional 617,000 tonnes of soybeans were reported to “unknown destinations,” which analysts suggest could also include China. Overall, total U.S. soybean sales during the shutdown period amounted to 1.348 million tonnes, highlighting a slow pace of shipments to the country’s largest customer amid ongoing trade commitments.
USDA officials explained that daily export updates, which typically report any sales above 100,000 tonnes, were suspended during the 43-day government shutdown. The agency plans to release the remaining data, which normally appears in weekly reports, over the next two months to catch up.
Corn exports were more robust over the same period, with nearly 4.2 million tonnes of sales recorded for the 2025/26 marketing year, along with an additional 548,640 tonnes, with Mexico emerging as the largest destination.
The modest soybean sales underscore the challenges facing U.S. exporters as they work to meet China’s high-volume purchase commitments. Market analysts note that while the resumption of official reporting provides clarity on trade flows, the pace of Chinese purchases remains uncertain, adding a layer of complexity for farmers and traders monitoring global soybean demand.
