Soybean Meal Market By Product Type (Conventional Soybean Meal, Organic Soybean Meal, Genetically Modified (GM) Soybean Meal), By Application (Animal Feed, Food & Beverages, Industrial Use), By Grade (48% Protein and Above, Below 48% Protein), By Form (Powder, Granules, Pellets, Crumbs), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, Online Retail), and By End-User (Livestock Farmers, Food Manufacturers, Biofuel Producers, Pharmaceutical Companies, Cosmetic and Personal Care Manufacturers), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

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Industry Outlook

The Soybean Meal market accounted for USD 122.49 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 200.89 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 4.6% between 2025 and 2035. Soybean meal, a high-protein product that remains when soybean oil is produced, is widely used as an animal feed, especially in the livestock and poultry industries. Due to its high protein content and the presence of amino acids required for animal growth and development, it is a key ingredient in animal diets. The soybean meal market consists of the production of soybean meal itself, the distribution of soybean meal, and the pricing of soybean meal. The market is dependent on such factors as global soybean harvests, supply chain dynamics, and demand from the agriculture sector. It truly plays an important role in global food production systems, especially in regions of large-scale livestock farming.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

Rising demand for animal feed drives soybean meal consumption.

The soybean meal market is driven by the growing demand for animal feed. In light of the ever-increasing global meat consumption, livestock farmers search for efficient, high-protein feed ingredients such as soybean meal to supplement their animals' nutritional needs. Demand is also fueled by the growth of the aquaculture industry and the preference for raising chicken over other animals. Owing to its high protein content, soybean meal, a by-product of the extraction of soybean oil, is a crucial component of many animal feed formulas.

Demand is fueled by economic factors, including growing disposable incomes and a tendency toward diets high in protein. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that the amount of soybean meal used in animal feed worldwide was over 256 million metric tons in 2023 and is continuously increasing due to these market factors. The rising demand demonstrates how crucial soybean meal is to support sustainable animal farming methods and global food security.

Advancements in soybean processing technology enhance meal production efficiency.

The increasing need for animal feed, particularly for poultry and animals, worldwide is the primary factor driving the market for soybean meal. As the world's population continues to increase and dietary habits shift toward more protein-rich foods, there will be a greater need than ever for high-quality animal feed. The main source of protein that contains several of the essential amino acids, soybean meal, is essential for meeting this need. The other promising factor affecting the growth of the soybean meal market is the advancement in soybean processing technology, which has led to increased efficiency and cost-effective meal production besides ramping up supply. Environmental considerations also take place in the market as soybean meal provides a sustainable source of alternative protein.

Increasing awareness of plant-based diets and the application of soybeans in vegetarian and vegan food products is boosting the region's market quite a bit. It also augurs well with the trends the world over, like reduction in tariffs and improved logistics. Global trade policies pave the way for even better access to soybean meals internationally. There is also an explosion of market activity in sectors related to increasing demand for biofuels and other industries using soy derivatives. Precision farming is a growing trend that increases soybean farming areas and promotes the availability of soybean meals.

Fluctuating soybean prices hinder consistent meal production costs.

With the fluctuation in soybean prices causing instability in meal production costs, soybean prices severely restrain the soybean meal market. Weather conditions, supply-demand imbalances, and global trade dynamics affect soybean prices and can spiral into price volatility. This then becomes tough for producers to assume and control production costs, thereby affecting their profit. Further, soybean meal is an important ingredient in animal feed, so its price volatility also means an increase in general costs for livestock producers, thereby affecting the demand for the meal.

Uncertainty in soybean price mechanisms also determines long-term investments and can generate disturbances in the supply chain. These combinations destabilize any favorable environment required for the growth of the soybean meal market by posing obstacles for producers and consumers. Therefore, market participants face difficulties with budgeting and planning, leaving them with no choice but to take a cautious approach. The dynamics of international trade and exports have also been impacted by this constraint, as price volatility has reduced competitiveness.

Development of sustainable protein sources opens new market opportunities.

Sustainable protein source development opens up considerable future possibilities for the soybean meal town as consumer demand for plant protein increases with rising environmental concerns and dietary changes, making it a boon for the soybean meal sector. A by-product of soybean oil extraction, soybean meal is a source of high-efficiency and sustainable protein, which has now found wide acceptance in various animal feeds. Plant-based consumers, a steadily increasing segment, just like any other, demand plant protein sources such as soybean meal. With its top protein content and nutrition profile, it is an attractive proposition for the rising plant-based food market, including meat substitutes.

Advances in biotechnology and improved sustainable farming practices make the case for soybean meal even better, as it will play a major role in global food security. The emerging paradigm on environmental conservation makes the soybean meal market a perfect candidate for growth from the traditional animal feed market into the new plant-based food section. Consumer awareness regarding the merits of sustainable agriculture and various initiatives towards greening food systems will push demand further. This is likely to expand and diversify the soybean meal market in the years ahead.

Collaboration between producers and animal feed companies offers growth potential.

The emerging partnership among producers and various animal feed companies is opening bright prospects for the soybean meal market. Increasing global demands on livestock products are leading these animal feed companies to search for better protein sources of high quality and low price. Among possible protein sources, soybean meal is a leading ingredient due to its rich amino acid profile. A partnership between producers and feed companies would result in better supply chain efficiencies, improved feed formulations, and expanded market access.

The global sustainability trend in animal feeding and nutrition is aligned with this view in that soybean meal, as a plant-based protein source, can easily be integrated within it. Innovations in processing techniques will complement their further improvement in nutritional value, making them more attractive to feed manufacturers. The scenario of emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America would create immense opportunities in terms of soybean meal usage in animal agriculture.

The strategic collaboration among stakeholders will drive market growth and ensure profits in the long run by increasing the demand for alternative protein sources. With increasing consumer awareness about the benefits of plant-based feeds to the environment, soybean meal is expected to secure prospects in the expanding global animal feed market.

Industry Experts Opinion

“The Tyson project illustrates the advantages of Benson Hill soybean meal for poultry producers seeking feed solutions with immediate benefits. Achieving performance parity with conventional soybean meal presents poultry nutritionists with a meaningful opportunity to optimize their performance feed by simply selecting a premium UHP-LO option.”

• Dr. Roy Brister, Ph.D., an independent animal nutritionist and strategic advisor with four decades of industry experience.

Segment Analysis

Based on the product type, the Soybean Meal market has been classified into Conventional Soybean Meal, Organic Soybean Meal, and Genetically Modified (GM) Soybean Meal. Conventional soybean meal is the most established segment of the soybean meal market. Reasons for more application include its wider accessibility, cost-efficiency, and age-old preference for use in animal feed production. It is produced from non-oil extraction by solvent or using a biological processing procedure from non-GM soybeans grown all over the world, especially to be employed for livestock and poultry feed. Because of its ability to be produced, its established supply chains, and its more competitive pricing, traditional soybean meal continues to be popular despite the growing popularity of genetically modified and organic soybean meal.
 

Based on the application, the Soybean Meal market has been classified into Animal Feed, Food & Beverages, and Industrial Use. Animal feed is dominant in the soybean meal market. It holds the largest current market size since it is a major nutritional source of the high protein content of soybean meal, which is critical in animal and poultry feed. It provides part of the protein for livestock. The worldwide appetite for meat and dairy products increasingly favors such a protein source for animals. This application dominates soybean meal consumption since it involves both better growth and productivity of livestock. Staying with firm feed demand hence ensures the prominence of this segment in the overall soy market.

 

Regional Analysis

The North American soybean meal market is second only to animal feed requirements in the agricultural infrastructure of North America. The vast livestock sector mainly consumes soybean meal as a high-protein channel feed ingredient, making the United States the largest producer and consumer of soybean meal. While the meat and dairy industries are keeping the market afloat due to the shift into plant-based protein sources, the food and feed supply chains in this region are enhancing the sustainability of soybean meal. Other factors affecting the demand for soybean meal include changes in trade regulations, seasonal variations of soybean yield, and possible imports of competitively priced alternative protein sources.

The industry's outlook will also be influenced by the search for new applications for soybean meal beyond feed, including biofuels, and changing processing methods. The soybean meal market will undergo some changes due to legislation regarding environmental issues and the carbon footprint of livestock husbandry products.

The Asia-Pacific soybean meal market is flourishing at a substantial rate owing to rising demand for animal feed and increasing livestock production from several countries, including China, India, and Japan. The largest consumer of soybean meal is China, due to the growth of the aquaculture and poultry industries. Market growth should be attributed to some factors, including the growth in protein-rich animal feed demand, advancements in livestock farming practices, and the shift toward more sustainable and efficient production methods. Besides, the trade policies and imports of raw soybeans also have a bearing on the market dynamics in the region.

The increasing awareness of animal health and the moving application of compound feeds will drive the demand for soybean meals. The hurdles will include price volatility and competition from alternative protein sources such as rapeseed meals and canola meals affecting market growth. Nevertheless, with innovation and continued technological advancements in feed formulation, the market outlook remains rosy.

Competitive Landscape

The soybean meal market is highly competitive among leading players such as Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland Company, and Bunge Limited. These companies dominate the market by producing, distributing, and developing supply chain networks, while they also dedicate their time to increasing market shares through partnership deals, acquisitions, and investments into sustainable practices. A case in point is the announcement by the ADM on investment to improve the capacity of soybean processing, increasing production efficiency.

Cargill is also establishing an overseas footprint, particularly in emerging markets, through digital transformation and sustainability. Other companies are Wilmar International and Olam International, as they are still making inroads into the market through responsible sourcing. The market is not limited to that, as it also has continuous innovations in the processing methods employed, with players adapting to the increased demand for plant-based proteins and the awareness of environment-friendly production methods. This is influenced by factors such as politics and trade policy, which affect market dynamics. For one, the demand from China has never ceased to influence the fate of global soybean meal exports. The majority of the players are investing in waste-reduction technologies and renewable energy sources as a means of staying competitive in light of the trend toward greater sustainability meetings within.

Soybean Meal Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In January 2025, Benson Hill, a seed innovation company, announced positive results from a controlled broiler feeding trial with Tyson Foods. The trial showed that Benson Hill's Ultra-High Protein, Low Oligosaccharide (UHP-LO) soybean meal was a high-performance, cost-effective alternative to conventional soybean meal in poultry nutrition. The results highlighted its potential benefits for poultry feed. This breakthrough could lead to significant improvements in poultry nutrition.
• In January 2025, NOVUS International presented its analysis of U.S. soybean meal quality at the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF) during the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE). The company highlighted research on the nutritional composition of soybean meal and examined the effects of different copper sources in broiler diets.

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