Missouri soybean farmers struggle under global trade conflicts

SOUTHEAST, Mo. (KBSI) – Soybean farmers across the United Starts are struggling as the Us’s biggest soybean buyer, China, has stopped buying U.S soybeans. In states like Missouri and Illinois where soybeans are a staple to the agriculture economy, this has had crimpling effects on farmers.

In fields across areas like Missouri soybeans are ready for harvest. Yet farmers are saying the future is more uncertain than ever, as Missouri soybean producers are stuck directly in the crosshairs of a global trade conflict. 

According to Justin Littleton, Farmer and Co-Owner of 4l Ag LLC a bushel of soybeans is at $9.92 a bushel right now, significantly lower than it needs to be for farmers to even break even on price. In 2022 soybeans were $12.78 a bushel, and in 2023 $12.78 a bushel in Missouri showing a large decrease in cost.

This is from a collapse in export demand as a result of retaliatory tariffs. According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture Missouri is the 7th leading state for soybean production. Soybeans are seen as an economic powerhouse and a major driver of the state’s economy, that is until this year.

“These low prices, we saw several area farmers that went bankrupt or just got out before they went bankrupt last year and, the way things are looking at appears it could be even worse this year” says Littleton.

China is the United States biggest buyer for soybeans, accounting for more than half of global imports. The trade conflict started when the U.S imposed tariffs on Chinese exports, China retaliated by imposing higher tariffs on U.S. Soybeans, the tariffs made U.S. Soybeans significantly more expensive. So, China went to competitor countries, boycotting U.S soybeans.

China bought absolutely no soybeans from the United States this year. According to AP sources President Donald Trump is planning on releasing a large aid package using money the U.S made from tariffs to soybean farmers struggling. Details of this aid relief are supposed to be announced tomorrow, Tuesday October 7, 2025, but farmers aren’t so sure this is the answer.

“This will definitely help” says Littleton. “Whether or not it will be enough to get everybody squared back up, I don’t know. Obviously, none of us farmers want a bailout. We’d just assume have, a good market for the product we produce.” 

Farmers all over the United States say they are doing what they can to survive right now, in hopes of reaching some sort of trade deal.  

“As soybeans go, I think our option is to, either hope we get a trade deal made or hope that they, you know, South America runs out of beans, and then, these other countries have to start coming to us” says Littleton.

For more details on Trumps aid package announcement: Trump plans aid package for US soybean farmers while seeking trade deal with China | AP News