By Andi Anderson
Michigan’s soybean industry is facing mounting challenges as global trade tariffs continue to disrupt export markets and strain farm incomes.
Since January 20, President Donald Trump’s tariff increases on U.S. imports have triggered retaliatory tariffs from major trading partners, including China, Canada, and the European Union, significantly affecting soybean exports.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. soybean exports were valued at $24.47 billion in 2024, with China accounting for over $12.64 billion and the European Union contributing $2.45 billion. However, these figures have declined sharply in 2025, especially in China, the world’s largest soybean importer.
Michigan ranks 13th in national soybean production, following nearby states such as Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Key producing counties include Gratiot, Lenawee, Saginaw, Shiawassee, and Sanilac.
In 2024, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) reported that soybean exports contributed $393 million in revenue, with China and Canada being the state’s top buyers.
The American Soybean Association (ASA) recently expressed deep concern over the impact of these tariffs, noting that “over the past five years, China has imported an average of 61% of the world’s available soybean supplies.” In a letter to the government, the ASA emphasized, “Soybean farmers are under extreme financial stress. Prices continue to drop while costs for inputs and equipment rise.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office echoed these concerns in a September statement, warning that tariffs are creating “massive uncertainty for our farmers and agriculture industry, threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs statewide.”
Recent data confirms the growing strain: Michigan’s soybean meal exports fell by 46% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
With falling prices and rising input costs, Michigan soybean growers are bracing for continued economic hardship unless trade relations stabilize and market access improves.
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Michigan, Business