Global Soybean Derivatives Market 2025 – 2034

Reports Description

As per the Soybean Derivatives Market analysis conducted by the CMI Team, the soybean derivatives market is expected to record a CAGR of 8.13% from 2025 to 2034. In 2025, the market size was USD 286.94 Billion. By 2034, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 578.52 Billion.

Overview

Soy ingredients do deliver value in function, nutrition, and cost and foster general wellness. The taste of consumers is shifting toward sustainable lifestyles, thereby relying less on animal proteins. As per a study by Veganz, 23% of the European population fall in the category of ‘flexitarian’ ones. It further states that 57% of those 23% have expressed their desire to turn vegetarian, whereas 8% are looking forward to adopting a vegan diet. As per the Plant-based Foods Association and The Good Food Institute, the sales of plant-based foods in the U.S. rose by 27% in 2020 alone.

Soy oil is used as one of the ingredients in several fried and baked products and also as margarine in several derived and processed products. Moreover, there has been a spur in population intolerant to lactose worldwide. This factor is driving the plant-based milk market, which finds scope for soy milk. In May 2023, Kansas Protein Foods LLC introduced Imagic Plant-Based Smoky Breakfast Meat consisting of soy flour. The ready-to-eat breakfast product does hold vegan, kosher and halal certificates and is available all over.

However, declining quality of soil owing to the presence of harmful fertilizers is limiting the cultivation of soybeans, thereby adversely affecting the demand-supply ratio of soybean derivatives. Also, non-uniformity of regulations pertaining to genetically modified soybeans could restrain the soybean derivatives market.

Key Trends & Drivers

• Increasing Production of Livestock

Soybean serves as a vital plant-based protein source. It is also more cost-effective than its counterparts. High-protein fiver left after extraction of soybean oil is used as one of the valuable animal feeds, especially for cattle, poultry, and various other livestock.

Soybean meal has been reported to be highly palatable and digestible, ensuring that livestock use the nutrients efficiently. It is also rich in lysine (an essential amino acid), especially vital for growing animals.

Soybean oil could be used for supplementing fat in the diet, which could improve the milk fat content in milk animals and energy intake on the whole. In certain cases, supplementation of soybean oil could increase the production of milk in dairy cows.

• Rise in Expenditure on R&D Activities

China is among the leading consumers of soybeans at the global level. It does import it from North America at large. As such, growing emphasis by the government on the application of technological advancements for surging such yields in China could help in addressing the demand for soybeans while curtailing pressure on the other parts of the world.

In December 2022, the Government of China started promoting grain production at the local level. As such, it has issued subsidies worth USD 5.75 Million to the cultivators of corn, soybeans, and rice.

Extensive expenditure on research and development activities ends up positively influencing the manufacturers’ capacity to utilize technology, thereby boosting the soybean derivatives market.

Key Threats

• Higher Presence of Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Soybean Derivatives

Excessive use of unsaturated fatty acids is detrimental to health. Research states that though they can help in lowering cholesterol and improving heart health, overconsumption could result in weight gain. This is evident from the fact that unsaturated fats contain 9 calories per gram, which is more than twice that of protein or carbohydrates. Also, excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids is likely to potentially increase the inflammation in the body. Soybean is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids. This factor could restrain the soybean derivatives market

• Presence of Alternative Oils and Proteins

Products such as palm oil, canola oil, and pea protein are increasingly capturing the market share owing to being cost-effective. For instance, palm oil is broadly used in the food & beverages vertical as it is cheaper than soy oil. Canola oil is preferred owing to its neutral flavor and strengthening the heart. On similar grounds, pea protein is being looked upon as an alternative to soy protein, especially by the customers seeking non-GMO or allergen-free options.

There are brands such as Beyond Meat that have incorporated pea protein keeping the deforestation concerns pertaining to soybean farming in mind. This, in turn, compels the producers of soybean derivatives to compete on sustainability and prices, ethical sourcing, and nutritional value.

Opportunities

• Rise in Health-Conscious Population

Products such as soy oil and soy protein are being perceived as healthier alternatives to the animal-based oils and products. Such soy-based options are preferred for their lower content of saturated fat, thereby rendering them as one of the attractive choices for those seeking to adopt diets conducive to the health of the heart. For instance, soy protein is used in the plant-based meat alternatives such as veggie sausages and burgers catering to the rise in the number of vegan consumers.

Soy oil is used in processed food products and as a cooking oil, thereby offering a healthier option in comparison with conventional oils such as groundnut oil. The shifts toward healthier consumption patterns are fostering the demand for soy-based products.

• Rise in Advancements in Soybean Processing Technologies

More efficient, novel extraction methods such as cold-pressing techniques and advanced solvent extraction facilitate higher yields on the part of soy oil, soy protein, and the other derivatives along with retention of nutritional integrity and reduction of waste. For instance, developing solvent-free, enzymatic extraction processes has increased soy protein isolate’s availability. It can thus be used for producing plant-based meat alternatives. Such innovations are enhancing production efficiency, thereby adopting soybean derivatives’ versatility into animal feed, food, biofuels, and cosmetics.

What’s Trending in the Soybean Derivatives Market?

The expansion of the animal feed vertical is one of the ongoing trends of the soybean derivatives market. Soybean meal, a by-product of soybean processing, is a cost-effective and highly nutritious feed ingredient rich in protein and used in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture sectors.

The demand for meat, dairy, and various other animal-based products, especially in emerging markets such as India, means the need for high-class animal feed is rising continually. Soybean meal is used for feeding poultry in the commercial farms, wherein it aids in producing high-protein eggs and meat.

Category Wise Insights

By Type

• Soybean

Soybean plays an important role in the soybean derivatives market. This could be attributed to the fact that it is one of the primary sources of a broad spectrum of products. It makes its presence felt in the protein and oil vertical and is necessary in animal feed and several applications. In other words, soybean oil dominates the cooking oil market, whereas soybean meal is vital for animal feed.

• Soy Meal

Soy meal dominates the soybean derivatives market, especially regarding the animal feed vertical. Comprising soy milk and soy protein concentrate, it is among the major sources of proteins for poultry, livestock, and also aquaculture. The U.S., Brazil, China, and Argentina are the major producers of soybean meal.

• Soy Oil (Soy Lecithin)

Soy oil (inclusive of soy lecithin) does occupy a vital position in the soybean derivatives market, basically owing to its applications ranging far and wide along with high-volume production. Soy lecithin’s flavor-enhancing and emulsifying properties are important in several pharmaceutical and food applications. It is used in the other industry verticals such as crayons, inks, and lubricants as well. Refined soy oil is a major component of edible oils at the global level.

By Application

• Feed

Feed holds a prominent position in the soybean derivatives market. Research states that feed (soymeal in particular) is the biggest application of soybean derivatives, which accounts for more than 54% of the overall share. This is owing to the affordability of soybeans and their high protein content. It serves livestock such as cattle, pigs, and poultry well.

• Food

The food & beverages vertical is one of the major consumers of soybean derivatives. Soy oil is used in cooking oil and soy protein is used in various food products inclusive of dairy substitutes, meat alternatives, and infant formula. The rise in adoption of vegetarian, flexitarian, and vegan diets is contributing to an increase in demand for soy-based food products.

• Others

Others encompass biodiesel, soy-based wood adhesives, soy ink, soy crayons, and soy-based lubricants. Soybean oil is among the primary feedstocks for biodiesel. With the target of net-zero emissions by 2050 eyed by various governments worldwide, the demand for soybean derivatives is expected to increase during the forecast period. Soy-based adhesives are used for producing wood panels such as particleboard, plywood, and OSB, apart from the other wood-based composite materials. Soy ink is a specialized segment in the soybean derivatives market. The niche market for soy ink lies in printed and related verticals.

Soy crayons do represent one of the niche applications within the bigger soybean derivatives market. These crayons are made up of soybean oil and looked upon as a non-toxic, sustainable alternative to conventional crayons. The demand for soy-based lubricants comes from the call for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional petroleum-based lubricants.

By Lecithin Processing

• Water

Lecithin processing using water implies the addition of water to the crude soybean oil for removing phospholipids, which are later separated as well as dried to yield lecithin suited for animal nutrition.

• Acid

Acid lecithin is obtained by chemical hydrolysis, which does have wider applications in several fields inclusive of the dietary and medical industries. It acts as a stabilizer and an emulsifier in food and the other industries.

• Enzyme

Lecithin processing through enzymes is an ongoing trend, especially in the cosmetics and food industries. This method offers advantages such as eco-friendly and natural alternatives.

What’s cooking in Soybean Derivatives Trade Worldwide?

Certain economies such as Argentina are known for imposing taxes on agricultural exports as one of the means of generating revenue for their governments. These taxes, in turn, add to the costs of producers and marketers.

Extensive research is being conducted regarding the use of soybean derivatives to prevent the risk of cancer and heart ailments. Their use as one of the key ingredients in the production of biodiesel is also being explored. Research states that the year 2023 witnessed the fourth highest trade on the part of soybeans. The first three – corn, wheat, and palm oil are reported to be unsuitable as substitutes for soybean derivatives as the quantity of protein in these products is significantly lower.

Report Scope

Regional Perspective

The soybean derivatives market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA.

• Asia Pacific

The consumption of soy has noticeably increased in the Asia Pacific since the last few years and the status quo is expected to remain the same during the forecast period. This could be attributed to the rise in demand for poultry as well as the other meat coupled with urbanization and growing expenditure on plant-based food products.

Rise in the acceptability of soy products, fierce competition, and a rising consumer base are pushing the operating companies to look for competitive advantages regarding product offerings and delivery of service. The local players are looking forward to strengthening the footprints in the market for the Asia Pacific by expanding the portfolio. For instance, Life Health Foods, in February 2021, launched ‘So Good,’ a good brand. The company, under this brand, offers dairy-free plant-based milk inclusive of nutritious and healthy soy drinks.

• North America

North America is the second-largest soy derivatives market. This is due to the shift of consumers toward a vegetarian or vegan diet, the rise in the number of individuals intolerant to lactose, and continual innovation. Also, the presence of various key players and the easy availability of soybeans are positively impacting the overall growth scenario.

• Europe

Europe is subject to increasing demand for soybean derivatives (soy meal in particular) owing to processed animal proteins such as bone meat and meal being banned in animal feed. The outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy is the reason for this ban.

• LAMEA

The players, such as Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. and Bunge Limited are contributing to the overall development of the soybean derivatives market. The end consumers are going for plant-based proteins, thereby resulting in a rise in demand for soybean derivatives. Demand for soybean meal is rising in South Africa, the UAE, Argentina, and Brazil.

Key Developments

The soybean derivatives market is witnessing a creative turbulence with regard to organic and inorganic expansion. Some of the key developments captured include –

• In October 2023, Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. announced that it had planned to construct a soybean processing plant in Ohio. The basic objective was to crush almost 1.5 million metric tons of soybeans every year. The construction began in the first half of the year 2024.

• In October 2023, Nestlé SA introduced an instant milk powder product all across the markets of Central and West Africa. These hybrid instant milk products are made from plant-based sources (soy).

• In February 2023, Nestlé SA introduced ‘Milo Soy,’ its new high-protein drink comprising soy and barley malt extract. The company is reported to have invested USD 4.09 Million in the underdeveloped economies along with marketing it to enter the market of Thailand.

• In November 2022, Ag Processing Inc. invested close to USD 72 Million in order to expand the soybean processing facility at Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, U.S.

Leading Players

The soybean derivatives market is highly competitive, with a large number of service providers globally. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Bunge Ltd.
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Louis Dreyfus Company B.V.
• Cargill Inc.
• Wilmar International Ltd.
• CHS Inc.
• Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd.
• DuPont Nutrition & Health
• Noble Group Ltd.
• Tyson Foods
• Nestlé SA
• AG Processing Inc.
• Asahi Group Holdings
• Kansas Protein Foods LLC
• Life Health Foods
• Others

These firms apply a plethora of strategies to enter the market, including innovations, mergers and acquisitions, and collaboration.

The soybean derivatives market is shaped by the presence of diversified players that compete based on product innovation, vertical integration, and cost efficiency.

The Soybean Derivatives Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Soybean
• Soy Meal
• Soy Milk
• Soy Protein Concentrate
• Soy Oil
• Soy Lecithin

By Application

• Feed
• Food
• Others
• Biodiesel
• Soy-based Wood Adhesives
• Soy Ink
• Soy Crayons
• Soy-based Lubricants
• Likewise

By Lecithin Processing

• Water
• Acid
• Enzyme

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America