The USA Becomes the Largest Supplier of Soybeans to Bangladesh in 2025/26 Marketing Year

The USA has taken the lead among soybean exporters to Bangladesh, surpassing competitors due to increased purchases by the country’s private importers and a decrease in the price of American soybeans at the beginning of the year. An important factor was also the temporary reduction in demand for this crop from China, which enhanced the competitiveness of American products.

This is reported by AgroReview

Significant Increase in the USA’s Market Share in Bangladesh

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in the first eight months of the 2025/26 marketing year, the USA’s share of soybean imports to Bangladesh reached 84%, while a year ago this figure was 48%. Overall, during the period from July to February, soybean imports to the country reached 13.5 million tons, of which 11.3 million tons were American soybeans. Brazil accounted for the remaining 16% of the import volume.

The increase in imports was made possible by the signing of a bilateral trade agreement between the USA and Bangladesh. Under the agreements, Dhaka committed to increasing purchases of American agricultural products, including soybeans, wheat, and cotton. The total value of the contracts is estimated at $3.5 billion, and the minimum volume of soybean imports over the year must be at least 2.6 million tons.

Criticism of the Agreement and Import Prospects

The new agreements have sparked criticism and concern among the Bangladeshi business community. This agreement was signed after the USA reduced tariffs on Bangladeshi exports as part of a broader policy to reduce the trade deficit. However, Bangladesh continues to maintain a trade surplus with the USA.

The demand for soybeans in the country remains high due to significant reliance on imports. Domestic production covers only about 7–10% of needs, while the majority is used for oil production and soybean meal for the feed industry. The USDA forecasts that in the 2026/27 marketing year, soybean imports will increase by another 4.3% to 24 million tons, and processing will rise by 2.2% due to the expansion of feed production.