The global soybean meal market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for high-protein feed ingredients across various sectors, including livestock, aquaculture, and poultry industries.
The global soybean meal market was valued at USD 94.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 98.7 billion in 2025 to USD 148.6 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period (2025–2033).
Market Dynamics
1. Rising Demand for Animal-Based Products
The growing global population and shifting dietary preferences towards protein-rich foods are fueling the demand for animal-based products such as meat, dairy, and eggs. This, in turn, increases the need for high-quality animal feed, with soybean meal being a preferred choice due to its high protein content and digestibility
2. Modernization of Livestock Farming
Countries in Southeast Asia and Latin America are undertaking initiatives to modernize livestock farming through government-backed projects. These efforts aim to enhance feed efficiency and animal health, thereby driving the demand for soybean meal .
3. Environmental Sustainability and Traceability
There is a growing emphasis on feed safety, traceability, and environmental sustainability. Buyers are increasingly demanding responsibly sourced soybean meal that aligns with global emissions reporting frameworks. Third-party certifications, such as the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP), are becoming essential for market access .
Market Segmentation
The soybean meal market is segmented based on product type, application, nature, distribution channel, and end-user.
Product Type: Includes high-protein soybean meal, conventional soybean meal, dehulled soybean meal, organic soybean meal, and low-oligosaccharide soybean meal (LO-SBM).
Application: Primarily used in poultry feed formulation, cattle and dairy nutrition, aquaculture feed, pet food ingredients, industrial fermentation, enzyme production, and bio-based adhesives and bioplastics.
Nature: Comprises genetically modified (GM) soybean meal, non-GM soybean meal, and organic certified soybean meal.
Distribution Channel: Encompasses bulk commodity traders, feed ingredient distributors, direct sales to feed manufacturers, online feed marketplaces, and agri-cooperatives & grower associations.
End-User: Includes commercial livestock producers, integrated poultry & dairy operations, aquafeed manufacturers, pet food processing companies, agro-industrial biofactories, and export-oriented feed suppliers.
Regional Insights
Asia-Pacific leads the global soybean meal market, driven by growing demand from the livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feed sectors in countries like China, India, and Vietnam. The region benefits from escalating per capita meat demand, heightened investment in feed production, and initiatives to modernize agricultural supply networks.
Key Players
Prominent players in the global soybean meal market include:
Bunge Limited
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)
Cargill Incorporated
Louis Dreyfus Company B.V.
COFCO International
AG Processing Inc (AGP)
Olam Agri Holdings Pte Ltd
Wilmar International Limited
Sodrugestvo Group S.A.
Vicentin S.A.I.C.
Groupe Avril
GrainCorp Limited
Noble Agri (now part of COFCO)
Seara Alimentos (part of JBS S.A.)
Tianjin Bohai Seed Group Co., Ltd.
Recent Developments
Sustainability Initiatives: In July 2025, ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, through its subsidiary Benin Agri Business, became the first African company to receive ProTerra Level III certification for soybean production, covering both soybean meal and related products. This certification denotes deforestation-free sourcing, climate-smart agriculture, fair labor practices, and full supply chain traceability from farm to terminal delivery
Regulatory Approvals: In July 2025, China’s General Administration of Customs officially approved soybean meal imports from Ethiopia, effective July 3, 2025. This groundbreaking decision forms part of a strategic drive to diversify its feed protein sources amid mounting trade tensions, aiming to reduce dependence on traditional exporters like the U.S. and Brazil .
Infrastructure Enhancements: In April 2025, French engineering firm Morillon Systems completed the commissioning of a state-of-the-art soybean meal storage and unloading system at CPF Group’s feed facility in Bangkok, Thailand. The installation includes a 10-meter-diameter silo fitted with Morillon’s advanced Hydrascrew reclaimer, designed to improve unloading efficiency and ensure a consistent flow of meal used in livestock and aquaculture feed production.
Conclusion
The global soybean meal market is poised for substantial growth, driven by increasing demand for high-protein animal feed, modernization of livestock farming, and a focus on environmental sustainability. As the market evolves, stakeholders must navigate regulatory landscapes, sustainability initiatives, and infrastructure developments to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
