Ongoing tensions in the Middle East and volatility in global energy markets are placing renewed pressure on international soybean trade, with the effects now being felt across South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh. These developments are highlighted in the U.S. Soybean Export Council’s Market Intelligence Report for March 2026.
Analysts say that while soybean planting in the United States is expected to increase, prices continue to climb. Recently, soybean prices reached a 20-month high, driven largely by rising demand from the biofuel sector and geopolitical instability in the Middle East. According to the report, prices have surpassed $12 per bushel.
This upward trend in global markets is directly impacting import-dependent countries. China, one of the world’s largest soybean importers, has increased its purchases. However, delays in Brazil’s harvest and ongoing supply chain disruptions have added uncertainty to the market.