The United States is the world's leading soybean producer and exporter. Soybean production in 2008 increased to nearly 3.0 billion bushels, up 11 percent from the previous year, and the fourth largest on record. However, the average price per bushel declined from 2007's record $10.10 to $9.25. Nonetheless, the total value of 2008's soybean crop was a record $27.4 billion. Like their ranking for value of corn production, the states of Iowa and Illinois are the leading producers of soybeans, followed by Minnesota, Indiana and Nebraska.

Processed soybeans are the largest source of protein feed (soybean meal) and second-leading source of vegetable oil (soybean oil) in the world, surpassed only by palm oil.

In February 2010, USDA increased its forecast of U.S. soybean exports to 1.4 billion bushels, due to unprecedented demand for soybean meal and soybean oil. However, soybean prices, and to a lesser extent, soybean meal and soybean oil prices, continue to fall, due to recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar, near-record soybean crops in South America and domestic biofuel policy. While the $1-per-gallon Federal tax credit was not extended, the U.S. EPA did determine that soybean-oil biodiesel significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, thus qualifying as an advanced biofuel.  (Oil Crops Outlook, February 2010)
 

• Biodiesel
• Dry Edible Beans
• Soyfoods
• Organic Soy