The usage of soy in China shifted from feeding people directly to feeding China’s growing feed and livestock sectors. Despite maintaining a strict grain self-sufficiency policy, the feed sector’s heavy demand of raw materials raised concerns over China’s grain supply and food security. In 1995, the Chinese government changed the rate of grain self-sufficiency from 100% to 95%, to start importing more grain products. Soybeans became the single most liberalized crop, leading to a surge in China’s soy imports.
China's soy crushing industry impacts on global sustainability agenda (PDF)