CHINA’S increasing reliance on imported food and mounting geopolitical risks around fertiliser supply are reshaping global agricultural trade, according to the latest Agri Markets 360 report launched this week by shipbroker IFCHOR GALBRAITHS.
The new annual research publication examines the physical movement of the world's most important agricultural commodities, covering wheat, corn, barley, soybeans and soymeal across major exporting and importing nations.
Among the report's key findings:
The US-China trade dispute accelerated China's shift towards South American suppliers.
Brazil and Argentina now account for almost 40% of global seaborne exports of soybeans, corn, wheat and soymeal.
China remains the world's largest agricultural importer, accounting for 19% of global trade and 61% of all soybean imports.
Global agricultural exports are projected to grow by an average of 2.3% annually over the next five years.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also noted China's demand for high-quality agriculture was growing rapidly.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) has predicted China's demand for agricultural products would more than double by 2050.
Agri 360 analyses the entire export chain, connecting crop production, inland logistics, ports, trade flows and shipping demand.
"In today's environment, agricultural trade flows are as much a geopolitical issue as an economic one,” said Serena Piazzo, author of Agri Markets 360 and dry bulk research analyst at IFCHOR GALBRAITHS.
Food security concerns, trade disputes, sanctions and regional conflicts increasingly determine how agricultural commodities move across the globe.
Agri Markets 360 was designed to provide a clearer understanding of these dynamics and their impact on export volumes, freight demand and global supply chains.
The report includes detailed analysis of Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Canada, France, Romania and Bulgaria, alongside a comprehensive global market assessment.