COLUMBIA, MO – Expanding domestic soybean crush is becoming a larger driver of U.S. soybean acreage and prices as biofuel demand reshapes how the crop is used, according to FAPRI’s September baseline update.
Soybean acreage rises 5.4 million acres in 2026/27 to 86.8 million acres and remains above 87 million acres through much of the projection period. FAPRI projects the farm price at $11.66 per bushel this marketing year.
Domestic crush is forecast at 2.78 billion bushels in 2026/27, up from 2.66 billion the previous year, and approaches 3 billion bushels later in the outlook.
Soybean oil use for biofuel also expands sharply, reaching about 17.8 billion pounds in 2026/27. At the same time, soybean oil exports fall to 400 million pounds as more supplies are absorbed domestically.
FAPRI expects acreage to remain supported by crush demand, renewable fuel policy and a favorable soybean-to-corn price relationship.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Growing domestic crush and biofuel demand are giving soybean producers a stronger home-market demand base.