Soybean by-Products

Global Soybean by-Products Market to Reach US$58.8 Billion by 2030

The global market for Soybean by-Products estimated at US$44.6 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$58.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Organic, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 5.5% CAGR and reach US$40.0 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Conventional segment is estimated at 3.2% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$12.2 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 8.7% CAGR

The Soybean by-Products market in the U.S. is estimated at US$12.2 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$12.3 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 8.7% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.9% and 3.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.8% CAGR.

Global Soybean By-Products Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized
Beyond the Bean: How Soybean By-Products Are Powering Circular Economies and Nutritional Innovation

What Constitutes Soybean By-Products and Why Are They Becoming Commercially Significant?
Soybean by-products are secondary outputs derived from the processing of soybeans into primary products such as oil, flour, and protein isolates. Key by-products include soybean meal, soy hulls, soybean lecithin, soy molasses, and okara (soy pulp). These by-products, once treated as waste or low-value inputs, are now experiencing a resurgence of demand across diverse industries such as animal feed, food processing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and bioenergy. Their rising significance is rooted in both environmental and economic rationales, as they support circular production models and help manufacturers extract greater value from each harvested bean.

Soybean meal-the most abundant by-product-constitutes over 70% of the weight of processed soybeans and is primarily used in livestock and aquaculture feed. With high protein content (typically 44-48%), it serves as a crucial protein source in poultry, swine, and fish diets. Soybean hulls are high in fiber and used as a filler in ruminant feed or as a base in cellulose extraction. Lecithin, a phospholipid-rich compound, is recovered during oil degumming and used extensively in bakery, confectionery, and nutraceutical products as an emulsifier. Okara, the fibrous residue from soy milk and tofu production, is gaining popularity in plant-based meat, high-fiber snacks, and fortified food formulations due to its rich content of dietary fiber, protein, and isoflavones.

Which Industries and Applications Are Driving Demand for Soybean By-Products?
Animal nutrition remains the largest consumer of soybean by-products, particularly soybean meal and hulls. The global livestock sector relies heavily on soybean meal for its balanced amino acid profile, digestibility, and cost-efficiency compared to alternative protein sources. With the intensification of poultry and aquaculture industries in Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa, demand for protein-rich feed formulations is surging. Soybean meal-s compatibility with feed enzyme technologies and pelletization processes further enhances its utility across feed types.

In the food and beverage sector, soybean lecithin and okara are witnessing expanding applications. Lecithin is widely used in chocolate manufacturing, baking mixes, and margarine as a natural emulsifier. It also plays a functional role in dietary supplements for liver health and cognitive support. Okara is being incorporated into extruded snacks, meat analogs, and bakery products for its textural and nutritional contributions. The demand for clean-label, allergen-free, and plant-based food ingredients is accelerating interest in minimally processed soy by-products, particularly in North America, Japan, and Western Europe.

Soy molasses-a syrupy residue obtained during soy protein concentrate production-is used as a fermentation substrate in amino acid and organic acid production. It is also explored as a feed additive and bioenergy precursor. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturers utilize lecithin for its biocompatibility in liposomes, ointments, and delivery systems. Meanwhile, soybean oil refining residues are being explored for bio-lubricants, surfactants, and biodiesel production. As biorefinery models evolve, these by-products are expected to serve as key intermediates in bio-based materials, chemicals, and packaging innovations.

Which Geographies Are Leading Adoption and How Are Supply Chains Evolving?
The United States, Brazil, and Argentina dominate global soybean production and processing, and therefore are primary suppliers of soybean by-products. The U.S. leads in lecithin production and high-protein soybean meal exports, supported by extensive crushing infrastructure and feed manufacturing capacity. Brazil and Argentina, with their vast soybean cultivation areas and growing domestic livestock sectors, are rapidly scaling up value-added processing of soybean by-products for local use and export to Asia and Europe.

Asia Pacific is the largest consumer region, led by China, which imports massive quantities of soybean meal and lecithin for its animal feed and food industries. Japan and South Korea have developed niche markets for fermented soy-based ingredients, including products derived from okara and soy molasses. India is emerging as a key market for lecithin and soy flour due to rising demand in the confectionery and nutraceutical segments. Europe is emphasizing non-GMO and identity-preserved soy derivatives for its vegan and specialty food markets, with countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK actively promoting traceable and sustainable soybean sourcing.

Supply chains are becoming increasingly vertically integrated, with crushers and processors investing in refining, enzyme treatment, and fermentation capacity to diversify their by-product portfolios. Certifications such as ProTerra, RTRS, and ISCC are enhancing transparency and sustainability compliance. Additionally, local processing in Africa and Southeast Asia is being promoted through public-private partnerships and feed security initiatives to reduce import dependence and build regional resilience.

What Is Driving Market Growth and Where Are the Innovation Pipelines Emerging?
The growth in the global soybean by-products market is driven by several factors including rising protein demand, focus on sustainable agriculture, and technological advancements in by-product valorization. As the food-feed-fuel nexus intensifies, processors are seeking ways to maximize output and minimize waste from soybean crushing and refining. Circular economy models are incentivizing the upcycling of low-value residues into high-margin applications such as functional foods, biomaterials, and bioplastics.

Innovations in enzyme treatment, extrusion, and fermentation are enabling the functional transformation of by-products into specialty ingredients. Microbiome-friendly feed additives, probiotic-fortified okara powders, and lecithin-based nanocarriers for drug delivery are among the emerging product classes. Startups are exploring 3D-printed meat alternatives and sustainable textiles derived from soy fibers, while academic institutions are developing soy-based adhesives, coatings, and biodegradable packaging materials.

As food systems evolve toward resource efficiency and climate resilience, soybean by-products will play a pivotal role in enabling sustainable innovation across industries. Strategic investments in processing technologies, R&D collaboration, and traceable supply networks will continue to elevate the commercial and environmental value of soybean by-products worldwide.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Soybean by-Products market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Nature Type (Organic, Conventional); Type (Soybean Oil, Oilcake, Lecithin); End-Use (Food Processing End-Use, Foodservice End-Use, Animal Feed End-Use, Retail / Household End-Use, Other End-Uses)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 48 Featured) -

• AAK Limited
• ADM (Archer Daniels Midland Company)
• Ag Processing Inc.
• Amaggi (Grupo André Maggi)
• Batory Foods
• Bunge Limited
• Cargill, Incorporated
• CHS Inc.
• Devansoy Inc.
• DuPont (Delaware, USA)
• Eden Foods, Inc.
• Grain Millers Specialty Products
• Louis Dreyfus Company
• Nutra Food Ingredients
• Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd.
• Scoular Company
• Sojaprotein a.d.
• Solbar Ltd.
• Thai Vegetable Oil Public Company (TVO)
• Willmar International Limited (Willmar)

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