U.S. soy complex exports—whole soybean, soybean meal and soybean oil—added $39.8 billion to the U.S. economy in marketing year (MY) 2022/2023 on a volume of 67.6 million metric tons (MMT). The shining star: U.S. soybean meal exports broke records for both volume and value at 13.2 MMT and $6.91 billion, respectively.

"U.S. soy exports in marketing year 22/23 were nothing short of extraordinary. A standout achievement was the record-breaking performance of soybean meal exports, reaching unprecedented volume and value levels,” said Steve Reinhard, United Soybean Board chair and Ohio farmer. “As we strive to meet the growing international demand and address global food security challenges, sustainability remains at the forefront of our mission, ensuring that our products nourish and uphold environmental responsibility. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, U.S. soy continues to lead as a global force in agriculture, providing quality, reliability, and a vision for a better tomorrow."

U.S. soybean meal exports

While U.S. processors increased domestic soybean crush capacity, soybean meal has been at the forefront of many conversations. Increased demand in the last five years from both Colombia and Ecuador boosted U.S. soybean meal exports by 15% and 36%, respectively, above their five-year averages. Meanwhile, increased volume and higher prices saw U.S. soybean meal exports increase in value by 39% over the five-year average from MY 17/18 - MY 21/22.

“As we look out 10 years, soybean production is forecast to follow the rising productivity curve, continuing to increase on the same amount of land as new innovations, technologies and improved plant varieties become available to U.S. soy farmers. This will allow the U.S. soy industry to continue to meet the need of international (excluding-U.S.) whole soybean export demand, and U.S. domestic soybean crush demand,” said Jim Sutter, chief executive officer of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).

The top five markets by volume for U.S. soybean meal exports in MY22/23 were: Philippines (2.15 MMT), Mexico (1.66 MMT), Colombia (1.45 MMT), Canada (1.2 MMT) and European Union (EU) (0.816 MMT) with Ecuador, Venezuela and Guatemala following closely.

U.S. whole soybeans

Despite persistent global challenges to international business (COVID, climate, conflict, and currency), the volume of U.S. whole soybean exports at 54.2 MMT kept pace with the previous five-year average of 54.4 MMT.

“The consistency of whole soybean demand is impressive given the challenges our international food, feed and retail customers continue to face,” Sutter indicated. “I believe it is in recognition of the superior value of U.S. Soy, including its optimal nutritional bundle and refining value, lowest carbon footprint, low damage, and reliability — all of which help our customers deliver high quality food and feed products, while improving their bottom lines and advancing sustainability.”

U.S. soybean oil

Following U.S. investment and demand for sustainable aviation fuel and other renewable fuels, naturally U.S. soybean oil exports dipped 82% from the five-year average to 171,500 MT.

“This was not a surprise and reflects the investment in renewable fuels we see increasing in the United States,” said Sutter.

Market development continues to drive customer satisfaction, growth

Josh Gackle, American Soybean Association president and soy farmer from North Dakota, noted the importance of the groundwork done at home to cultivate international demand.

“Our industry has created a robust and well-oiled network for collaboration among our national soybean associations to create, develop, and protect international markets for U.S. beans, meal, and oil. For us at the American Soybean Association, that means protecting trade and market development interests from a policy perspective, and then we have the similarly vital roles of the United Soybean Board and U.S. Soybean Export Council in spearheading the actual development of those markets, ensuring the quality and reputation of our products is known, and continuing to pursue pathways whereby our farmers can efficiently get U.S. soy into those global markets and meet the increasing level of international demand,” Gackle said.

Looking at the total U.S. soy complex, the top 5 markets during MY 22/23 were China (31 MMT), Mexico (6.6 MMT), EU (6.4 MMT), Japan (2.7 MMT) and the Philippines (2.3 MMT).

A market that saw significant growth from the previous marketing year was Vietnam with total U.S. soy complex imports up 40% at 1 MMT. Markets demonstrating moderate growth year over year are EU (15%), Indonesia (9%), South Korea (7%), and China (5%). Morocco, Philippines, and Ecuador were also up slightly.

With export volumes keeping pace with the previous five-year average, higher prices drove an increase in value of the U.S. soy complex exports which were 35.9% above the previous 5-year average (2018/19 to 2022/23).

“The U.S. soy export value chain is the best in the world. Our ability to meet the needs of consumers, companies and countries around the world due to our expansive and robust infrastructure and logistics despite challenges, has been proven time and time again,” explained Sutter. “The U.S. export infrastructure has some valuable options which in times of challenge give us reliable flexibility. The U.S.’ ability to utilize a multimodal approach allows for agility when necessary. U.S. Soy delivers whether it be by bulk vessel, rail, or container – U.S. East, West of Gulf Coasts, the Great Lakes, or the Pacific Northwest corridor so we can meet our customers’ needs.”

Every day around the world, United Soybean Board partners with USSEC who has experts on the ground working to attain market access, differentiate and elevate a preference for U.S. soy in the animal protein, aquaculture, soy foods and oil sectors. Recent initiatives include U.S. soy marketing in 14 languages, investing in animal nutrition and aquaculture performance research, developing the Soybean Value Calculator, and collaborating with customers around the world to maximize the value from U.S. soy products (beans, meal, oil) as well as advance sustainability leveraging our U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) certificates or Sustainable U.S. Soy on-pack labels.

Due in part to these recent efforts, and those of the USB, the American Soybean Association, State Soybean Boards and other USSEC members, U.S. soy continues to be the United States’ No. 1 leading agricultural export both in value and volume.