The United States exported 68.7 million metric tons of soy products during marketing year 2024-25, a 12.8% increase from the previous year and a 2.95% gain over the five-year average, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Global Agricultural Trade System.
The total includes whole soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil, with growth reported across all three categories. Exports of whole soybeans increased 10.7% to 51.2 million metric tons (1.89 billion bushels). Soybean meal exports rose 13.9% to a record 16.3 million metric tons (754 million bushels equivalent). Soybean oil exports climbed 304% to 1.1 million metric tons (210 million bushels equivalent).
“With ample production and supply capacity, the United States remains well positioned to meet both domestic and global demand for whole soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil,” said Jim Sutter, chief executive officer of the U.S. Soybean Export Council.
Trade flows continue to shift among regions, but global demand remains strong and increasingly diversified. Growth has been reported across the Americas, the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Lower soybean prices, while challenging for U.S. farmers, have provided value to international buyers and encouraged additional use of U.S. soy products, according to the council.
USDA data show the top five growth markets for the U.S. soy complex over the past five years were Turkey, up 342%; Vietnam, up 89%; Venezuela, up 68%; Colombia, up 48%; and Bangladesh, up 40%.
“U.S. Soy exports grew in marketing year 2024-25, anchored by another record amount of soybean meal exports,” said Matt Amick, director of market development for Missouri Soybeans. “As we continue to crush more soybeans domestically, the growth and diversification of soybean meal exports has been critical.”
Sutter said gains in several markets reflect improved market access and rising demand for animal protein. Turkey’s increase followed the resolution of a market access issue that had restricted imports of genetically modified soy during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 marketing years.
Growth in Venezuela has been driven by expansion in poultry production and consumption. Bangladesh has also emerged as a rapidly growing market due to developing poultry and aquaculture sectors, with demand supporting new investments in local soybean crushing capacity in 2025.
“In the year ahead, we are focused on working with our state and national partners to use more soybeans domestically through feed, food and fuels, and capitalizing on opportunities to diversify and grow export markets for whole soybeans and soybean meal,” Amick said.
Rising global demand has helped absorb increased U.S. soybean meal supplies tied to growing domestic crush capacity, Sutter said. The United States recorded a second consecutive year of record soybean meal exports, with 16.3 million metric tons shipped.
Most soybean meal exports went to the Philippines, Mexico, Colombia and Canada. Soybean oil exports also increased sharply, led by purchases from India, the world’s largest importer of vegetable oils. The top five markets for U.S. soybean oil in marketing year 2024-25 were India, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
“It is good to see strong demand for oil exports providing an alternative to domestic demand when appropriate,” Sutter said.
Despite ongoing uncertainty in international trade, global demand for soy continues to grow. The U.S. Soybean Export Council said its role is to work in markets worldwide to ensure customers understand the value and availability of U.S. soy.
