China's imports of U.S. farm products dropped in March

China's cutback on imports of U.S. products began in March as prospects of a trade war heated up and China and the United States began assessing tariffs that month. China's customs data for March indicate that China's imports of several U.S. agricultural products were down from year-earlier amounts. China's modest overall appetite for imported farm commodities made it easier for China to cut back. 

China's imports of U.S. agricultural products totaled $1.88 billion in March 2025, down $801 million from a year earlier. China's imports of all other U.S. products totaled $10.6 billion, down $502 million year-over-year.

In this chart, "agricultural" includes HS chapters 1-24, 41, 52, and 53.
Calculated from China customs administration data.

A few specific commodities accounted for nearly all of the year-on-year decline in China's imports of U.S. agricultural products. Cotton imports were down $292 million, sorghum imports were down $147 million, and soybean imports were down $133 million from a year ago. 

Calculated from China customs administration data.

In terms of volume, China's imports of soybeans increased from 2.28 million metric tons in March last year to 2.44 million metric tons in March 2025. The value declined due to lower prices this year. Import volume dropped dramatically for sorghum, corn, wheat, and cotton.

The United States was still the top supplier of China's soybean imports in March, according to the customs data. Brazil--not yet at its peak shipping season--supplied 951,006 metric tons. 

Brazil was the top supplier of China's cotton imports, but the value was only $79.3 million. Turkey, Australia, Mexico and 9 other countries supplied smaller amounts of cotton than did the United States.

 

China's imports of wheat and corn were low. Canada was the top supplier of wheat, with 161,552 metric tons valued at $48.1 million, and Brazil was the top corn supplier with 74,732 metric tons valued at $20.8 million. Australia was the only sorghum competitor for the U.S., supplying only 23,515 metric tons in March. 

Imports of some U.S. food and feed products increased year-over-year in March. Imports of processed fish and meat products were up $26.5 million, miscellaneous foods were up $25 million, food processing by-products and feeds were up $5.4 million, and whey imports were up $8 million.