Soybean Meal Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Soybean Meal Market Report is Segmented by Application (Animal Feed, and More) and by Geography (North America, South America, and More). The Report Includes Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume), Export Analysis (Value and Volume), Import Analysis (Value and Volume), and Price Trend Analysis. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Metric Tons).

Soybean Meal Market Size and Share

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Compare market size and growth of Soybean Meal Market with other markets in Agriculture Industry

Soybean Meal Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The Soybean Meal Market size is estimated at USD 104.23 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 130.51 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.60% during the forecast period (2025-2030). This trajectory reflects resilient global demand for cost-efficient protein ingredients and the growing influence of renewable diesel policies that incentivize additional soybean crushing capacity. Supply chains are re-aligning as the EU’s deforestation-free regulation pushes traders to certify origin traceability, while aquaculture growth across Asia-Pacific sustains sizeable import flows despite volatile commodity prices. Record U.S. soybean meal exports of 14.4 million metric tons in 2024 underscore the market’s ability to redirect surplus meals generated by expanded oil-driven crush margins. At the same time, mycotoxin control costs and weather-related production swings continue to pressure operating margins, prompting processors to invest in quality assurance and logistics optimization.

Key Report Takeaways

• By application, animal feed led with 77.3% of the soybean meal market share in 2024, while industrial and bio-based products are projected to expand at a 5.9% CAGR through 2030.

• By geography, Asia-Pacific dominated with a 38.2% value share in 2024; the same region is forecast to grow the fastest at a 6.2% CAGR by 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Application: Animal Feed Accelerates, While Industrial and Bio Based Products Show Growth Potential

Animal feed remains the anchor of the soybean meal market, holding 77.3% of its value in 2024. Broiler integrators raised soybean meal inclusion as lysine-based protein alternatives plateaued, underpinning the segment’s USD 80 billion contribution to the soybean meal market size in the base year.[3]United States Department of Agriculture, “World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, January 2025,” usda.gov In swine, heightened feed-grade amino acid adoption trimmed volumes, yet overall feed efficiency gains preserved demand as precision nutrition formulations tilt toward balanced protein coatings. Aquaculture feed grew fastest inside the feed block owing to enzyme-enhanced meals that improve digestibility, reinforcing Asia’s heavy reliance on imported cargoes.

Industrial and bio-based uses are forecast to grow at a 5.9% CAGR, the quickest among all applications, as manufacturers exploit soybean meal’s renewable protein and fiber fractions for adhesives, lubricants, and roof sealants. Partnerships between the Iowa Soybean Association and consumer brands have already commercialized soy-based bar-and-chain oil, and Airable Research Lab pilot projects seek to extend usage into wind-turbine composites. As these initiatives scale, they could command a 10% slice of the soybean meal market size by 2030, adding flexibility to crush plant offtake strategies and cushioning feed-driven demand cycles.

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Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific commands 38.2% of the 2024 value and is projected to expand the soybean meal market at a 6.2% CAGR through 2030. China consumed 80.6 million metric tons of soybean meal in 2024, while livestock feed output contracted slightly as ration efficiency improved and hog herds normalized after disease outbreaks. Vietnam, the Philippines, and Bangladesh all lifted imports, and India’s 7.7 million metric tons of domestic usage signals rising protein uptake in dairy, poultry, and aqua segments. As Southeast Asia’s aquaculture complexes scale, regional crushers struggle to match demand, ensuring sustained import growth even under volatile pricing regimes.

North America anchors global supply through high-capacity crushing networks and expanding biofuel policies. U.S. soybean crush hit 65.6 million metric tons in 2024, up 5.4% year-on-year, and new Midwest plants will lift daily throughput by another 1.4 billion bushels by 2026. Capital projects such as Bartlett’s USD 375 million Kansas facility illustrate public-private alignment on renewable diesel goals, which translate directly into larger domestic meal surpluses available for Mexico, Canada, and Asian buyers.

South America combines large output with logistical diversification. Brazil produced 42.4 million metric tons of soybean meal in 2024 and exported 21.2 million metric tons, helped by currency depreciation and improved Northern Arc port infrastructure. Argentina’s crush rebounded 37% to 42.4 million metric tons after drought recovery, regaining its top exporter slot as export tax cuts and pipeline upgrades restored capacity. Paraguay and Uruguay expand at steady, albeit smaller bases, leveraging river and rail investments to capture Asian demand. Nevertheless, policy stability, transport bottlenecks, and shifting EU sustainability criteria will shape the longer-term contribution of the region to the global soybean meal market share.

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Recent Industry Developments

  • June 2025: The U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed a steep 340.7% countervailing duty on organic soybean meal exports from LT Foods’ subsidiary, Ecopure, citing a lack of cooperation during its investigation. This move could severely restrict Ecopure’s access to the U.S. market, prompting the company to explore legal remedies.
  • May 2025: Uruguay has signed a landmark agreement with China to export rapeseed and soybean meal, backed by a phytosanitary protocol ensuring safety and traceability.
  • March 2025: South American soybean meal basis prices have surged to a three-month high, with Brazil’s FOB Paranagua and Argentina’s FOB Up River premiums reaching approximately USD 7.72/metric ton and USD 2.20/metric ton above CBOT futures, respectively. This spike is fueled by global trade tensions, currency fluctuations, and local supply uncertainties, particularly Argentina’s reduced crop forecast due to drought.

Table of Contents for Soybean Meal Industry Report

1. Introduction

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Landscape

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Rising demand for high-protein animal feed formulations
    • 4.2.2 Expansion of aquaculture feed capacity
    • 4.2.3 Biofuel growth driving additional soybean crush volumes
    • 4.2.4 Deforestation-free sourcing mandates reshaping global trade routes
    • 4.2.5 Real-time digital commodity platforms lowering transaction and logistics costs
    • 4.2.6 Adoption of insect-soymeal blend feeds boosting overall soymeal utilization
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Volatile soybean prices driven by weather and biofuel policies
    • 4.3.2 Mycotoxin contamination incidents tightening quality rules
    • 4.3.3 Competition from alternative high-protein meals
    • 4.3.4 ESG-linked finance penalizing soymeal linked to land-use change
  • 4.4 Value/Supply-Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Landscape
  • 4.6 Technological Outlook
  • 4.7 PESTLE Analysis

5. Market Size and Growth Forecasts (Value and Volume)

  • 5.1 By Application
    • 5.1.1 Animal Feed
    • 5.1.2 Food and Beverage Processing
    • 5.1.3 Industrial and Bio-based Products
  • 5.2 By Geography (Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume), Import Analysis (Value and Volume), Export Analysis (Value and Volume), and Price Trend Analysis)
    • 5.2.1 North America
    • 5.2.1.1 United States
    • 5.2.1.2 Canada
    • 5.2.1.3 Mexico
    • 5.2.2 Europe
    • 5.2.2.1 Spain
    • 5.2.2.2 Croatia
    • 5.2.2.3 France
    • 5.2.2.4 Germany
    • 5.2.2.5 Russia
    • 5.2.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.2.3.1 India
    • 5.2.3.2 China
    • 5.2.3.3 Bangladesh
    • 5.2.4 South America
    • 5.2.4.1 Brazil
    • 5.2.4.2 Argentina
    • 5.2.4.3 Uruguay
    • 5.2.5 Middle-East
    • 5.2.5.1 United Arab Emirates
    • 5.2.5.2 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.2.6 Africa
    • 5.2.6.1 South Africa
    • 5.2.6.2 Egypt

6. Competitive Landscape

  • 6.1 List of Key Stakeholders

7. Market Opportunities and Future Outlook

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Global Soybean Meal Market Report Scope

Soybean meal, a byproduct of oil extraction from soybeans, comes in two primary forms, high-protein soybean meal, derived from dehulled seeds, boasts 47% - 49% protein and 3% fiber, while conventional soybean meal, containing hulls, has 43% - 44% protein. The soybean meal market is segmented by application (animal feed, food industry, beverage, and healthcare products) and geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle-East, and Africa). The report provides market size and forecasts, expressed in USD, for all the mentioned segments.

By Application Animal Feed
Food and Beverage Processing
Industrial and Bio-based Products
By Geography (Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume), Import Analysis (Value and Volume), Export Analysis (Value and Volume), and Price Trend Analysis) North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Spain
Croatia
France
Germany
Russia
Asia-Pacific India
China
Bangladesh
South America Brazil
Argentina
Uruguay
Middle-East United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Africa South Africa
Egypt
By Application
Animal Feed
Food and Beverage Processing
Industrial and Bio-based Products
By Geography (Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume), Import Analysis (Value and Volume), Export Analysis (Value and Volume), and Price Trend Analysis)
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Spain
Croatia
France
Germany
Russia
Asia-Pacific India
China
Bangladesh
South America Brazil
Argentina
Uruguay
Middle-East United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Africa South Africa
Egypt
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Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current size of the soybean meal market?

The soybean meal market size stands at USD 104.23 billion in 2025 and is set to reach USD 130.51 billion by 2030 at a 4.6% CAGR.

Which region holds the largest share of the soybean meal market?

Asia-Pacific leads with 38.2% of global revenue in 2024 and is also projected to be the fastest-growing region through 2030.

Why is renewable diesel important to soybean meal demand?

Renewable diesel policies boost soybean oil use, incentivizing crushers to expand capacity; the extra oilseed processing generates larger volumes of co-product soybean meal that feed and industrial users absorb.

Which application segment is growing the fastest?

Industrial and bio-based applications of soybean meal are projected to grow at a 5.9% CAGR as bio-lubricants, adhesives, and other renewable products gain traction.

Page last updated on: June 24, 2025