Argentina soybean sales speed up as prices rise on China demand, US crop concerns

Argentine soybean sales are gaining pace as farmers move to lock in prices after a sharp rally fueled by strong Chinese demand for supplies and mounting concerns over the U.S. crop, the Rosario grains exchange said in a report on Friday.

The exchange said 1.03 million metric tons of 2025/26 soybeans were traded in the week to September 2, the largest weekly volume since late July.

• The exchange said the rally has been supported by firmer oil prices linked to U.S.-Iran tensions, deteriorating U.S. crop conditions and, above all, robust Chinese demand for U.S. soybeans.
• That demand has taken on added importance ahead of a closely watched meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where any tariff relief could help keep Chinese purchases of U.S. soy flowing until fresh Southern Hemisphere supplies return in January.
• Brazil, meanwhile, has limited room to sharply increase soybean sales to China in the fourth quarter because of demand from other buyers and strong domestic crushing.
• Rosario said Brazil shipped 64.7 million tons of soybeans from January through August 2026, with 70% going to China. That was the lowest share since 2022 and down from 76% in 2025, a sign that Chinese buying has become less concentrated on Brazilian supplies than in recent years.