Global Markets

Why Global Markets Matter: Fueling Growth, Delivering Value

As your trusted partner, the Soy Checkoff understands the critical importance of global markets. Our commitment to meeting international demand drives economic prosperity and ensures a sustainable future for all.

Economic Powerhouse

U.S. soybeans proudly hold the position as America’s No. 1 agricultural export, contributing a substantial $29.6 billion (source) into the U.S. economy. Our international portfolio underscores the vital role soybeans play in bolstering the nation’s economic strength. Your investment in U.S. Soy directly supports this economic engine.

Meeting the Growing Global Demand

The future is bright for U.S. soybean products. Global demand is projected to increase for the 2025/26 marketing year. (source) This growth is fueled by rising calorie intake in middle-income countries, driven by increased consumption of food staples, livestock products and fats, as highlighted in the  . As a reliable source of high-quality, sustainable nutrition, soybeans are uniquely positioned to meet this escalating demand, contributing to global food and nutrition security.

U.S. Soy Reaches New Markets, Sets New Records

U.S. Soy is actively expanding its global footprint, forging new partnerships and strengthening existing relationships with exporters and importers. This strategic approach is yielding impressive results. The United States exported 68.7 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. Soy (whole soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil) during marketing year 2024/25, representing a 12.8% increase year-over-year and a 2.95% gain over the five-year average. (source)

  • Top Export Destinations: The top five markets for the U.S. Soy complex demonstrate the global demand for U.S. soybeans: China, Mexico, European Union-27, Egypt and Philippines. (source)
  • Record Soybean Meal Exports: In 2024-25, U.S. soybean meal exports reached a record-breaking 13 million metric tons (another record year), valued at $6 billion. This represents a remarkable 13.9% increase from the previous year, demonstrating consecutive years of record exports and the growing global demand for U.S. soybeans. The Philippines remains the No. 1 market for meal exports, followed by Mexico, Colombia and Canada.(source)
  • Soybean Oil Exports Surge:S. soybean oil exports rose sharply to 1.1 million metric tons, valued at $1.2 billion—up 304% year-over-year. This growth was led by purchases from India, the world’s largest importer of vegetable oils. The top five markets for U.S. soybean oil in MY 2024/25 were India, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Dominican Republic. (source)
  • Five-Year Growth Markets: Over the past five years, demand for the U.S. Soy complex has soared in key markets: Turkey (up 342%), Vietnam (up 89%), Venezuela (up 68%), Colombia (up 48%) and Bangladesh (up 40%). (source)

Emerging Markets Driving Demand

Trade flows continue to shift across regions, yet global demand remains strong and increasingly diversified. Growth across the Americas, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia continues to expand and reinforce the importance of broad-based demand for high-quality, sustainable protein. (source)

  • Turkey: The significant increase in U.S. Soy exports to Turkey is driven by the resolution of a market access issue and growing domestic demand. During the 2019/20 and 2020/21 marketing years, Turkey restricted imports of genetically modified soy, limiting trade flows of U.S. Soy. With that barrier removed, exports have rebounded dramatically.
  • Venezuela: The upward trend can be attributed to strong expansion in poultry production and consumption. As per capita protein consumption increases, demand for high-quality feed ingredients like U.S. soybean meal continues to grow.
  • Bangladesh: This rapidly expanding market is driven largely by its developing poultry and aquaculture sectors. That demand has supported new investments in the local crush industry, which added capacity in 2025.

The U.S. Soy Advantage: Driven by Dedication, Powered by Innovation

What sets U.S. soybeans apart? It starts with the unwavering commitment of nearly half a million U.S. soybean farmers who invest in the Soy Checkoff, cultivating the crops that nourish the world. But it doesn’t stop there. Your checkoff dollars are strategically channeled through key partnerships focused on market access, trade development and building preference for U.S. Soy.

Despite increasing competition from other soybean-producing countries, the U.S. soybean industry continues to solidify its position as the supplier of choice, a testament to the quality, reliability, and sustainability of U.S. soybeans. Looking ahead, the checkoff remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding soybean exports and driving demand for high-quality animal feed and soy foods, ensuring a secure and sustainable future for U.S. soybean products and our global partners.

Key Takeaways: U.S. Soy — A Global Force for Nutrition and Economic Growth

  • Global Reach: U.S. soybeans nourish the world, with customers in more than 80 nations relying on its nutritious and sustainable protein for human consumption, aquaculture and livestock feed.
  • Soy Checkoff Driving International Demand: In the last five years, the Soy Checkoff has driven international demand for U.S. Soy by 1.8 billion bushels, or an 18% increase in soybean exports. (source)
  • Diversified Product Portfolio: S. Soy offers a comprehensive range of products to meet diverse global needs:(source)
  • Whole Soybeans: 2 million metric tons (up 10.7% from prior year), valued at $22.3 billion
  • Soybean Meal: 3 million metric tons (up 13.9% from prior year – another record), valued at $6 billion
  • Soybean Oil: 1 million metric tons, valued at $1.2 billion (this is a significant increase – up 304% from prior year)
  • Future Growth Potential: Supported by increasing demand for livestock and poultry production, the USDA projects world soybean meal trade to increase nearly 10.7% to 81.3 million metric tons by 2033-34, creating significant opportunities for U.S. soybeans.(source)
  • U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol Meets Customer Expectations
    • One example of the checkoff’s work to highlight soy sustainability is the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP). SSAP helps meet international customers’ demand for sustainably sourced soy ingredients.
    • Companies have a competitive advantage buying U.S. Soy that is verified under the SSAP compared to soy from other countries of origin, like Brazil.
    • In 2024, SSAP-verified shipments grew to 71 percent, the highest ever share of total soy exports.
    • USSEC’s Sustainable U.S. Soy and Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy labels are used by 112 companies across 20 countries on more than 1,000 products. For background, the “Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy” label can be used on products like pork, poultry and shrimp where at least 60% of the soy in the feed ration was sustainable U.S. Soy, as verified with SSAP certificates.

Explore Further: Key Resources for U.S. Soy Insights 

To delve deeper into U.S. Soy’s global markets, we encourage you to explore these valuable resources:

  • U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC): ussec.org — Discover how USSEC is building preference, improving value and enabling market access for U.S. Soy across more than 80 countries.
  • World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH): org — Learn how U.S. Soy is improving nutrition and livelihoods around the world through innovative programs and partnerships across nearly 30 countries.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC): usapeec.org — Explore soy’s role in supporting the poultry and egg industries and driving export growth.
  • U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF): usmef.org — Delve in more about how U.S. Soy increases the value and profit opportunities for the U.S. beef, pork and lamb industries.
  • U.S. Soy Market View Database: unitedsoybean.org/tools-calculators/ — The Market View Database is the go-to source for supply and demand facts and figures of the entire soybean industry.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): usda.gov — Access comprehensive data, reports and resources on U.S. agriculture.Click here to view USDA agricultural projects including forecasts for soybean demand and trade.