Recent reports from Reuters indicate that the transportation of agricultural products from the United States to China is gaining momentum. At least six bulk cargo ships are planned to load soybeans from ports along the Gulf of Mexico to be transported to China by mid-December.
With Beijing having previously halted soybean purchases from the U.S. during the trade tensions between the two countries, this move had drawn dissatisfaction from U.S. President Trump. However, a procurement consensus was reached during a trade meeting late last month between Trump and the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping in South Korea.
According to shipping data seen by Reuters, the “Tokugawa” cargo ship was observed loading soybeans on Tuesday, while the “Katagalan Brave” is scheduled to commence loading within the coming days. Four other ships – “RB Eden,” “Hua Xing Hai,” “Donna Alexandra,” and “SSI Dominion” – are expected to arrive within the next two weeks for loading.
A ship loading plan reviewed by Bloomberg also forecasts that in the following weeks, six ships are expected to load at ports in the Gulf of Mexico, transporting at least 320,000 metric tons of soybeans to China.
American farmers and grain traders have been eagerly awaiting shipments to commence post the U.S.-China trade negotiations. After the Trump-Xi meeting, U.S. Treasury Secretary Benson stated that China had agreed to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by January next year, followed by annual purchases of 25 million metric tons over the next three years.
To date, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed purchases of 2.25 million metric tons of agricultural products for the 2025/26 trade year (ending August 2026) by China. Analysts and traders estimate that actual sales may approach 3 to 4 million metric tons as some individual transactions fall below the reporting threshold of the USDA, while others are reported as headed to undisclosed destinations.
However, China’s overall procurement volume remains significantly lower compared to pre-trade war levels.
Amid growing market concerns over China’s ability to meet the goal of purchasing 12 million metric tons of soybeans by the end of this month, Chicago futures of soybeans saw a third consecutive day of decline. Nevertheless, the latest soybean deliveries have alleviated some worries among traders.
Additionally, U.S. sorghum exports to China have resumed for the first time since March. The shipping data reveals that a cargo ship named “Bungo Queen” is currently loading in a port along the Gulf Coast of Texas, while another ship, “YM Navigator,” is set to begin loading at a port in the Pacific Northwest later next week.
On Tuesday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the government will unveil an aid package next week to assist farmers impacted by depressed crop prices and trade uncertainties.