China’s Ministry of Agriculture has forecast soyabean imports for the 2026/27 crop year at 95.5M tonnes, down 7.6% from the previous year, Forbes reported.
In its latest outlook, published on 12 May, the ministry cited weaker demand for soyabean meal due to declining pig stocks as the main factor for the decline.
The ministry projected 2026/27 soyabean planting at 10.193M ha, down 0.6% from the previous year, as lower profitability compared to corn had reduced farmers’ willingness to plant, Forbes wrote on 13 May.
For the 2025/26 crop year (October/September), the ministry raised its forecast for soyabean imports to 103.3M tonnes, 7.5M tonnes above its previous estimate, as large pig and poultry farms continued to support soyabean meal demand.
The ministry also projected China’s edible oil production in 2025/26 at 32.23M tonnes, up 1.19M tonnes from the previous year, with soyabean oil increasing by 790,000 tonnes due to increased soyabean imports and crushing volumes, while canola oil fell by 170,000 tonnes due to reduced imports of the oilseed.
For 2026/27, the ministry projected edible oil production at 31.41M tonnes, down 820,000 tonnes from the previous year, with soyabean oil production expected to fall by 1.36M tonnes, mainly due to reduced soyabean imports.
