The White House confirmed on May 18, 2026, that China will purchase at least $17 billion in U.S. agricultural products annually through 2028. This commitment follows a high-stakes presidential summit and supplements existing soybean agreements. The deal aims to ease trade tensions after U.S. farm exports to China declined sharply in 2025.
China will restore market access for U.S. beef and poultry by renewing expired licenses for hundreds of facilities. The agreement also resumes poultry imports from states free of avian influenza. These developments provide a significant tailwind for the food production sub-sector and meat exporters. The announcement boosted the consumer staples sector amid broader global geopolitical risks.