China Approves Soybean Meal Imports from Ethiopia, Argentina, Uruguay to Diversify Supply

China has approved the import of soybean meal from Ethiopia, effective July 3, as part of its broader strategy to diversify protein supply sources amid the ongoing trade tensions with the United States. Ethiopian soybean meal exports to China will meet phytosanitary standards and be pest-free, allowing Ethiopia to enter the Chinese market with high-quality soybean products, supported strongly by the Ethiopian government. This move follows similar approvals for soybean meal imports from Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Russia, and Belarus, reflecting China's effort to reduce reliance on traditional soybean suppliers like the U.S. and Brazil. Argentina recently sent its first shipment of soybean meal to China, which industry leaders view as a key step for sustained trade relations. China primarily imports soybeans to crush domestically but is expanding direct soymeal imports to mitigate supply disruptions caused by the trade war. Overall, these developments signal China's intention to secure and diversify its agricultural imports through new trade partnerships.