Russia’s Non-GMO Soybean Exports to China Safe from Trump–Xi Deal

Russia’s non-genetically modified (GM) soybean exports to China are safe, a Russian government source told Reuters, despite a deal between China and the U.S. concluded by U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Gleb Bryanski and Olga Popova reported for Reuters.

The IKAR consultancy estimates Russia’s exports to China at up to 0.8 MT of non-GMO soybeans this season.

Russia ranked a distant fifth among the largest soybean exporters to China in 2024, but its shipments consist exclusively of non-GM soybeans used in the production of foods such as tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce.

Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut visited China this week for talks with her counterpart Han Jun in Beijing, aiming to expand exports just as China committed to purchasing 12 million tons (MT) of American soybeans during the current season.

Russia banned GMO farming in 2016 in a bid to capture a share of the growing global non-GMO food market, which Fortune Business Insights projects will reach $2 trillion by 2032, up from $895 billion in 2025.

The U.S. primarily supplies GM soybeans to China, which are used for animal feed. The IKAR consultancy estimates Russia’s exports to China at up to 0.8 MT of non-GMO soybeans this season.

“I think there is no threat to our non-GMO soybean exports. We are the only ones in the world growing it,” said the source, who declined to be identified.

Russia expects a record soybean harvest of up to 9 million metric tons this year and will have a surplus available for export, said Dmitry Rylko of IKAR. He estimated total exports at up to one million tons.