China cuts back on major NC exports

In the wake of rising tariffs, China has predictably cut back on US exports, including pork and soybeans, both major North Carolina agricultural industry commodities. 

“The export market is significant for North Carolina farmers and agribusinesses, as nearly 96% of the global population is outside of the United States,” Steve Troxler, commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), told the Carolina Journal. “We are focused on opening markets around the world for North Carolina ag commodities and foods and continuing to build on trade relationships we have established internationally.”

Weekly reports from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) show a significant drop in both soybean and pork exports to China, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). US pork sales dropped more than 12,000 tons for the week of April 17 to only 5,800 tons for the week of April 24. This is a 72% reduction in just one week, and it is also the lowest number reported so far in 2025. 

“This is an unfortunate day for NC farmers, but it was easy to predict,” Kelly Lester, policy analyst for the Center for Food, Power and Life at the John Locke Foundation, told the Carolina Journal. “China had been the largest buyer of US soybeans, which are essential for livestock feed. It was also a rapidly expanding market for American pork, especially as it struggled with domestic shortages due to African swine fever.”

China canceled this 12,300-ton shipment, according to Pork Business, the largest cancellation since May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Chinese customs data, in 2024, China imported $4.6 billion worth of pork, with the majority coming from countries other than the United States, reported Pork Business. US pork exports to China amounted to $859 million.

“For North Carolina pork, our top four buyers in 2024 were Korea, Japan, Australia, and China with combined purchases of nearly $318 million,” said Troxler. “Korea purchased $187 million, Japan $69.4 million, Australia $32.9 million, and China $28.6 million worth of pork in 2024.”

Soybeans also dropped significantly from 72,000 tons the week of April 10 to only 1,800 tons the week of April 24, reported WSJ. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump raised the tariff on Chinese goods to 84% and later to 145%. This sparked a retaliation, with China increasing the tariff on US exports to 125%. 

“In terms of North Carolina soybeans, growing markets include Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand, with Taiwan being our leading buyer in 2024 with over $19.4 million in bean purchases and China being our second largest buyer at $16.9 million,” continued Troxler. 

With China being the No. 1 buyer of US soybeans, this reduction will dramatically impact the agricultural industry of North Carolina, as soybeans are in the top five cash crops. China accounts for 48% of US soybean exports. In 2022, North Carolina exported $446 million in soybeans, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative. 

“Last year, that amounted to more than 27 million metric tons, worth $12.8 billion, or about 9 cents of every dollar of goods the United States sold to China,” according to a report by the New York Times. “American soybean farmers are worried about whether their biggest customer will keep buying.”

According to the USDA, approximately 1.61 million acres of soybeans were harvested in North Carolina in 2024. This is down about 10,000 acres from 1.62 million in 2023. 

“In 2018 alone, due to Trump’s last trade war, US soybean exports to China plummeted by over half, and pork producers faced steep tariffs that made their products uncompetitive,” said Lester. “This was rough on North Carolina farmers who depend on those markets to survive.”

Despite efforts to maintain a good trade relationship with China, North Carolina farmers are currently feeling the impacts of the trade war, which will soon trickle down to impact the consumer. 

“We have worked hard to develop strong business relationships in China and other countries and want to see them continue,” concluded Troxler. “Unfortunately, when there’s a disagreement over tariffs, other countries hit us through agriculture. From the last time we experienced trade disputes because of tariffs, the Trump administration was very good at looking after farmers’ interests, and we certainly hope it happens this time.”

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