China’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…