[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today declared September 29 – October 5, 2025, as Soybean Week in Minnesota, highlighting the critical role soybean farmers play in Minnesota’s economy and the growing challenges they face from federal trade policy.

“Soybeans are Minnesota’s largest agricultural export and the heart of our agricultural economy – but our soybean farmers are confronting a crisis they haven’t seen since the 1980s,” said Governor Walz. “They’ve produced a bumper crop this year, just to find out they have nowhere to sell their harvest thanks to Trump’s trade policies. Minnesota’s got the best beans in the world – I encourage Minnesotans to stand with our farmers and continue to advocate for federal trade reform.”

Minnesota soybean producers are facing significant hurdles, experiencing an increase in bankruptcies and reduced commodity prices due to President Trump’s trade policies. Tariffs have severely reduced the market for soybean farmers to sell their goods abroad.

Once the largest purchaser of U.S. soybeans at $13 billion annually, China has stopped purchasing American soybeans, instead expanding trade with South America and leaving U.S. producers with fewer and inconsistent export options. Many Minnesota farmers are forced to store crops longer, sell at distressed prices, or absorb added costs – leading to billions in lost sales and financial strain on rural communities.

Governor Walz encourages Minnesotans during Soybean Week to acknowledge the critical work of soybean farmers and support policies that protect agricultural markets and ensure the long-term success of the state’s farming communities.

The Governor's proclamation can be found here.