Soybean · ranking
Which markets buy the most soya beans and other oil seeds, ranked from declared import values in UN Comtrade. One entry is so large that the rest of the table has to be read in its shadow.
| # | Market | Value | Volume | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $61.5B | — | 2024 |
| 2 | Germany | $7.1B | — | 2024 |
| 3 | Japan | $5.3B | — | 2024 |
| 4 | Mexico | $4.9B | — | 2024 |
| 5 | Netherlands | $4.2B | — | 2024 |
| 6 | Argentina | $3.3B | — | 2024 |
| 7 | United States | $2.9B | — | 2024 |
| 8 | Spain | $2.9B | — | 2024 |
| 9 | Turkey | $2.8B | — | 2024 |
| 10 | Egypt | $2.3B | — | 2024 |
Ranking is for the whole of HS chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits), reporter-declared, latest year available per market. Source: UN Comtrade.
China is first at $61.5B. Germany, in second place, is at $7.1B, so the leader is close to nine times larger than the runner-up on the listed figures. Japan at $5.3B, Mexico at $4.9B and the Netherlands at $4.2B follow, and the last places from Argentina to Egypt run between $3.3B and $2.3B.
The ten hold 70.8% of the value declared by the 96 markets in the dataset. Remove China from the picture and the list looks far more evenly spread, which is worth knowing if you are pitching a smaller buyer.
Chapter 12 groups all oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, and heading 1201 is the soya bean line inside it. Buyers in the table also differ in purpose: some crush the beans, some feed animals, and some, such as a port country, receive cargo for onward sale. The ranking cannot separate these roles, so a row may represent very different buyer types.
Argentina and the United States both appear as importers, which is a reminder that a major producer can still import seasonally or for processing, and that reporter years may differ.
For a seller, the practical step is to search customs records for heading 1201 in a chosen destination and read the consignee names, origins and quantities. Large regular importers are likely to buy on established contracts, so ask how they select suppliers and what quality checks apply.
Before you offer, confirm the destination’s current import, plant-health and biosecurity requirements with customs, and settle the specification, inspection method, delivery term and payment security. The free marketplace on this site can also help you reach buyers who post requirements.
China is first at $61.5B in this ranking. Germany is second at $7.1B. The values are for HS chapter 12, which includes other oil seeds besides soya beans.
Heavily. China's figure is far above the others, and the ten together are 70.8% of declared value across 96 markets. Without China the remaining markets are much closer in size.
No. Some crush them for oil and meal, some use them in feed, and gateway countries may resell them. The table shows declared import value and does not show end use.
Search shipment records for heading 1201 in that country and read the consignees, origins and quantities. Approach the regular buyers whose specifications match yours.
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