LUBBOCK, TX – The U.S. soybean industry is undergoing a major shift, with more beans staying home for processing instead of heading overseas. For 2025/26, USDA projects domestic soybean crush will reach a record 2.49 billion bushels—57% of total production. That’s up from 46% in 2017/18.
Crushing soybeans produces both meal and oil, and demand for both is rising. Meal remains a key feed input, while oil is increasingly used for biomass-based diesel. This twin demand is fueling a wave of new crushing plant construction across states like Iowa, North Dakota, and Kansas.
Traditionally, soybeans from these regions were exported through Pacific Northwest ports. But as domestic crush capacity grows, more beans will stay in the U.S., potentially improving margins for producers while reshaping trade flows.
The USDA’s Economic Research Service says the shift is creating fresh opportunities for growers and processors alike. The crush trend signals a more self-contained supply chain—and could buffer some volatility in global export markets.