Soybean · importers
Germany is second of 96 markets at $7.1B in the oil seeds chapter, the largest buyer outside Asia by a wide margin.
| Market | HS 12 imports |
|---|---|
| China | $61.5B |
| Japan | $5.3B |
| Mexico | $4.9B |
| Netherlands | $4.2B |
| Argentina | $3.3B |
Figures are for the whole of HS chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits); soybean is only part of it. Source: UN Comtrade, as reported by national authorities; latest available year per market.
China leads at $61.5B, so second place is a distant one. Japan follows at $5.3B, which makes Germany the clear runner-up and 5.2% of reported world imports. Compared with China’s dominance, Germany is a mid-sized destination that is large by European standards.
The chapter is 0.5% of the country’s $1.38T imports and ranks 36th among its own import chapters.
Oil seeds come into Europe largely to be crushed for meal and oil, and to feed a big livestock and food-manufacturing sector. A German buyer might be a crusher, a feed compounder or a trader supplying either. Ask which, because each cares about different parameters: crushers focus on oil content and yield, compounders on protein and consistency.
The country’s location on the Rhine and near large ports also means beans often arrive by barge or rail from a seaport.
European buyers of oilseeds commonly ask about traceability, sustainability documentation and whether the crop is genetically modified, and the rules on labelling and approvals are set by the authorities and can change. Confirm the current requirements with them and with the importer rather than relying on older guidance.
Agree Incoterm, currency, payment terms, discharge port and any onward barge leg in writing.
The $7.1B is the total for all of HS chapter 12, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, of which soybeans form only a part. Germany’s overall source list is led by China, the USA, the Netherlands and Poland, but it spans every product and cannot tell you where beans come from. Re-exports through neighbouring ports can also push a ranking around.
Records of individual shipments under the soybean heading name the consignee and give weights and declared values. Read them to tell crushers from feed makers, then contact your shortlist via this site’s free marketplace.
Second of 96 at $7.1B in 2024, a 5.2% share of reported world imports. China is first at $61.5B and Japan third at $5.3B.
Crushers, feed compounders and traders. Their needs differ, so find out which type you are dealing with before discussing specification.
No. The value covers every oil seed in chapter 12, so the bean portion is smaller.
Filter customs shipment data to the soybean heading and group by consignee to see who takes regular cargoes and how large they are.
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