China
China is accelerating the use of fermented local ingredients to slash its reliance on imported soybeans as trade tensions with the U.S. intensify.
Pig producers squeezed by rising costs and falling hog prices. Chinese authorities intensify efforts to stabilize the market.
Output during October-December in the world’s largest pork producer surged to 15.7 million metric tons.
The December Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows the farm economy will likely stay strained into 2026. As crops face tight margins, biofuels policy — especially E15 and biomass-based diesel — could influence recovery.
Ted Seifried with Zaner Ag Hedge says rumors of China purchases circulate nearly every time the corn market rallies.
China significantly reduced tariffs on European Union pork imports. While this offers some relief to European producers heavily reliant on the Chinese market, the imposed tariffs of 4.9% to 19.8% for five years still concern the industry.
A new report spotlights how agricultural acquisitions and business strategy linked to the Chinese government have amassed production and power, and it’s being called into question by policy thinktank America First Policy Institute (AFPI).
The White House says China will buy 12 MMT of U.S. soybeans in late 2025 and 25 MMT annually through 2028, plus resume U.S. sorghum and hardwood log imports, clearing confusion over comments from Secretary Bessent.
Arlan Suderman says the U.S. is strengthening ties with Argentina to counter China’s growing influence — a global strategy that’s leaving many U.S. farmers and ranchers feeling sidelined.
Farm economists say today’s ag slowdown “isn’t a collapse, but it’s a grind.” From trade woes to rising costs and consolidation, experts warn recovery could take time, even as livestock markets stay strong.
At a high-level meeting on Tuesday, officials urged major companies - including Muyuan Foods and Wens Foodstuff - to reduce breeding sows, lower slaughter volumes, and keep hog weights around 120 kg.
Inventory buildup triggers fears of crushing plant shutdowns. Surplus may weaken China’s soybean demand in Q4 U.S. peak season.
The latest pork price and forecast from Expana examines market fluctuations in U.S., Asia and the EU.
In what it calls a comprehensive action plan for agriculture security, USDA unveiled seven critical areas the Trump administration will address, and securing and protecting U.S. farmland from being owned by China topped that list.
The newly approved facilities include 23 pork plants and 83 poultry plants, according to a Chinese Customs database.
Jeff Hoogendoorn, with Professional Ag Marketing, says hogs ended mixed Wednesday, consolidating after the recent rally driven by higher cash and cutouts. While soybeans rallied after the Trump/Xi call.
Even in the midst of a trade war, Brett Stuart of Global AgriTrends is confident deals will get done and the U.S. will have better access, especially if purchase commitments are part of the agreements.
China is one of the biggest importers of American breeding pigs and other livestock genetic material such as cattle semen. These lucrative niche export markets had been growing, but have dried up since the start of the U.S.-China trade war.
U.S. pork exported to China will still face a minimum total tariff rate of 57%. Previously, U.S. pork was tariffed at 172%, which makes it impossible for U.S. pork producers to compete in that market.
Dave Chatterton, Strategic Farm Marketing, says the markets faded the news as the realization set in that no major breakthroughs in the trade talks are expected and a long term trade deal with China could take quite some time.
As trade negotiations continue with China and Mexico, USMEF’s Dan Halstrom and Illinois pig farmer Chad Leman share their perspectives on what’s ahead for pork and beef producers.
The sales disruption shows how the tariff war escalated by President Donald Trump is upending global trade and forcing changes at a prominent food company that pays U.S. farmers to raise hogs.
The listing is aimed at deepening the company’s globalization strategy, but the plan is pending regulatory approval.
The tit-for-tat on tariffs between the U.S. and China continues, with China announcing on Friday a new rate of 125%, which is up from the 84% announced earlier this week. That pushes the tariff on U.S. pork and pork variety meat to 172%. The new soybean tariff is more than 150%.
Arlan Suderman, StoneX Chief Commodities Economist says the markets reacted positively to the 90-day delay on reciprocal tariffs for countries that reached out to negotiate with the U.S. and did not retaliate.
As the trade war heats up, the reality is China is still the top export destination for U.S. farmers, even if the country isn’t buying as many soybeans as 2018.
After China retaliated with its own tariffs, the U.S. said on Tuesday that 104% duties on imports from China would take effect shortly after midnight, even as the Trump administration moved to quickly start talks with other trading partners targeted by Trump’s sweeping tariff plan.