context: The PRC’s oilseed imports are undergoing a gradual reshaping as the country expands supply sources and strengthens food security. Record soybean arrivals, recovering US purchases and renewed access for Australian rapeseed all point to a broader effort to build a more flexible and resilient import network.
The PRC's soybean imports reached a record high in June 2026, supported by strong Brazilian supply and the clearance of previously delayed shipments at ports. Customs data showed that the PRC imported 13.55 million tonnes of soybeans in June, up 10.5 percent y-o-y and 14.9 percent from May. Total soybean imports in H1 reached 50.15 million tonnes, up 1.5 percent from the same period last year.
Brazil remained the main driver of import growth, with a strong harvest and concentrated shipments supporting higher arrivals. Market participants expect monthly soybean imports to remain above 10 million tonnes in July and August, with full-year imports potentially matching or slightly exceeding the record set in 2025. At the same time, soybean trade with the US has started to recover as bilateral agricultural trade conditions improve. The PRC imported 1.66 million tonnes of US soybeans in May, and recent data from the US Department of Agriculture showed that Chinese buyers had committed to purchase one million tonnes of new-crop US soybeans.
The PRC is also widening its sources of rapeseed supply. Market sources said the PRC has approved imports of Australian rapeseed through several coastal ports, with shipments required to be processed at approved facilities. Australia, the world’s second-largest rapeseed exporter, had been largely excluded from the Chinese market since 2020 due to concerns over blackleg disease. The renewed access gives Chinese buyers another supply option as global oilseed trade faces greater uncertainty.
The move comes as the PRC seeks to diversify rapeseed imports. The PRC imported 6.39 million tonnes of rapeseed in 2024, with Canada traditionally supplying the majority. However, trade tensions between the PRC and Canada affected rapeseed flows, creating a need for alternative sources. Australia’s return is expected to provide additional flexibility, although Canada is likely to remain a major supplier.
Overall, the PRC’s oilseed trade is moving towards a more diversified sourcing model. Higher soybean imports, renewed US purchases and expanded rapeseed supply channels reflect a broader strategy to reduce concentration risks and strengthen resilience in the agricultural supply chain.