Dry Bulk Market: China Soybean Imports on the Rise in Dry Bulk Market , Hellenic Shipping News 23/05/2026 C hina’s leading role in terms of the global soybean import trade has increased so far in 2026, with a strong rebound during the first four months. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “soybeans are one of the most important dry bulk commodities, and account for almost 5 percent of all seaborne dry bulk trade. Total seaborne exports of soybeans in calendar (Jan-Dec) 2025 increased by +4.6% year-on-year to 159.9 mln tonnes, according to vessel tracking data from AXS Marine. So far this year, volumes have continued to grow strongly. In Jan-Apr 2026, global loadings increased by +11.0% y-o-y to 61.7 mln t, from 55.6 mln t in Jan-Apr 2025. This was above the 55.0 mln tonnes loaded in Jan-Apr 2023 and 54.9 mln t in Jan-Apr 2024. The largest exporter of soybeans by far is Brazil, which accounted for 73.2% of global soybean exports by volume in Jan-Apr 2026”. Source: Banchero Costa According to Banchero Costa, “in Jan-Apr 2026, total shipments from Brazil increased by +5.9% y-o-y to 45.1 mln tonnes, up from 42.6 mln tonnes in Jan-Apr 2025. In second place are the United States, which accounted for 23.6% of global soybean exports this year. In Jan-Apr 2026, soybean exports from the USA increased by +33.9% yo-y to 14.6 mln tonnes, recovering from a -14.8% y-o-y decline recorded in Jan-Apr 2025. In third place is Canada with a 1.3% share; Argentina, which typically peaks from May onwards, is in fourth place with just 0.7% so far in 2026. In Jan-Apr 2026, Argentina exported 0.5 mln tonnes of soybeans, up +25.0% y-o-y from the 0.4 mln t in Jan-Apr 2025”. “In terms of imports, the top destination for soybeans so far in 2026 is still Mainland China, accounting for 59.9% of global seaborne imports. Imports to China increased by +2.1% y-o-y in Jan-Dec 2025 to 107.6 mln tonnes. In Jan-Apr 2026, Chinese imports recovered by +9.8% y-o-y to 27.0 mln tonn