Harvest ’25: Soy Sentiment Sours as Market Pressure, Storage Concerns Grow

“Those could’ve easily been our beans going over there. It goes to show that if that opportunity is there, China would be willing to buy.”

WILLIAMSPORT, OHIO (RFD-TV) — Pressure is mounting on U.S. soybean farmers as harvest gets underway. With Brazil — and now Argentina — stepping in to capture more of the Chinese market, concerns are growing in what has already been a frustrating season.

American Soybean Association (ASA) Vice President Scott Metzger joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report from his very own combine to share the soy sector’s sentiment and market outlook as harvesting continues.

Metzger discussed the decline in soybean prices and the impact of Argentina’s recent decision to reduce its soybean export taxes, which allowed the country to sell 20 shiploads to China.

“If we can be competitive with beans, we can get’em moved — like they did with Argentina,” Metzger said. “Those could’ve easily been our beans going over there. It goes to show that if that opportunity is there, China would be willing to buy.”

He also discussed the ASA’s call for the Trump administration to secure a trade deal with China, the risks associated with not reaching an agreement soon, and what that would mean for U.S. farmers.

Farming in Ohio himself, Metzger provided an update on harvest progress in his region, shared his outlook for the crop moving forward, and addressed concerns about storage capacity if China stays off the buying table when it comes to U.S. commodities.

Related Stories
Imported lean beef continues to play a critical role in U.S. hamburger and ground-beef production, with any added volume from Argentina serving as a supplement — not a market overhaul.
A fast-moving series of trade signals from the White House and key partners is resetting the near-term outlook for U.S. agriculture.
Stay alert for trade announcements—especially border reopening timelines, tariff threats, and developments in Brazil’s export flows.
Margin Protection and the new MCO add county-level margin tools — with earlier price discovery, input cost triggers, and high subsidy rates — to complement on-farm risk plans for 2026.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard joins Market Day Report for his insight on the USDA’s plan to strengthen the U.S. beef industry.
Set targets and use forwards, futures, or options to manage downside while preserving room for rallies.
Bangladesh’s buying surge offers temporary relief for U.S. farmers facing weaker Chinese demand, highlighting how global politics can reshape export outlets overnight.
RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James breaks down the USDA’s newly unveiled plan to rebuild the US beef herd and the industry’s spectrum of responses to it.
Sen. Roger Marshall explains which types of beef are imported into the United States, how there’s room for new imports, and logical reasons for current high prices.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Plan for sharp, short-term volatility after unexpected outages; permanent closures rarely trigger major price spread disruptions.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down the scope of the U.S. Christmas Tree industry and what growers are up against.
Canadian tariffs would raise costs for potash, ammonia, and UAN, increasing spring fertilizer risk.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities breaks down the outlook on grain storage and domestic supply chain strength as producers weigh planting decisions with forthcoming federal aid.
Experts say flooding the zone with more money could have unintented consequences without opening new markets for planted crops and inputs under significant pressure.
Julie Callahan was nominated earlier this summer by President Donald Trump, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers she is ready to hit the ground running.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.