According to a new report from Intel Market Research, the global Feed Material Soybean Meal market was valued at USD 16,520 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 22,030 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period (2025–2031). This steady growth reflects the product's critical role in animal nutrition as the dominant protein source in livestock, poultry and aquaculture feed formulations worldwide.
What is Feed Material Soybean Meal?
Feed material soybean meal is a high-protein byproduct derived from soybean oil extraction, containing 45-50% crude protein with a balanced amino acid profile that meets most animal nutritional requirements. Unlike edible-grade soybean products, feed-grade meal prioritizes digestibility and cost-effectiveness for industrial-scale animal production. The solvent extraction process removes oils while concentrating protein content, resulting in a nutrient-dense feed ingredient that has become indispensable to modern animal agriculture.
With a 60-70% share of global protein meal consumption in animal feed, soybean meal has established itself as the backbone of livestock nutrition. Its versatility allows formulation across species, though the market is primarily driven by poultry (55% of demand) and swine (30%) sectors. Recent innovations in processing technologies have further enhanced its nutritional value through improved protein digestibility and reduced anti-nutritional factors.
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Feed Material Soybean Meal Market - View in Detailed Research Report
Key Market Drivers
1. Accelerating Global Demand for Animal Protein
The fundamental driver for soybean meal consumption remains the expanding global appetite for meat, eggs and dairy. With meat consumption projected to increase 15% by 2031, feed manufacturers are scaling up production capacities accordingly. Emerging economies in Asia and Latin America are experiencing particularly strong growth, with China's poultry production alone consuming over 50 million metric tons of soybean meal annually. The aquaculture sector also contributes significantly, having increased soybean meal inclusion rates to 25-30% of fish feed formulations as sustainable alternatives to fishmeal.
2. Technological Advancements in Processing and Formulation
Modern processing innovations have transformed soybean meal into a more nutritionally efficient feed ingredient. New enzyme-treatment technologies now improve protein digestibility by 5-8%, while thermal processing advancements boost metabolizable energy content by 100-150 kcal/kg. These developments allow nutritionists to achieve better feed conversion ratios - a critical metric in commercial livestock operations. Recent formulations also address species-specific needs, such as low-oligosaccharide variants for young animals and fermented products that enhance gut health in poultry.
3. Sustainability Focus Reshaping Supply Chains
The growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture is driving significant changes in soybean meal production and sourcing. Major players like Cargill and ADM have implemented comprehensive traceability systems to ensure deforestation-free supply chains, certified by programs like RTRS and ProTerra. With 35 million metric tons of certified sustainable soybean meal now entering global markets annually, feed producers are increasingly able to meet stringent environmental standards while maintaining product quality.
Market Challenges
Despite strong fundamentals, the industry faces several persistent challenges:
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Input price volatility: Soybean prices fluctuate 20-35% annually due to weather, trade policies and competing uses (like biofuels), creating margin pressures for feed mills.
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Regulatory complexities: Divergent GMO regulations between producing and importing countries add 10-15% to handling costs through testing and segregation requirements.
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Logistical bottlenecks: Storage shortages during harvests and port congestion in South America periodically disrupt supply chains, causing price spikes and delivery delays.
Opportunities Ahead
The market presents several promising growth avenues:
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Aquaculture expansion: With global fish farming output projected to reach 109 million metric tons by 2030, soybean meal stands to gain as the preferred plant-based protein alternative.
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Specialized formulations: Value-added products like enzyme-treated and fermented soybean meal command 15-20% price premiums in premium feed segments.
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Emerging market penetration: Africa and Southeast Asia show strong potential with 6-8% annual demand growth as commercial livestock operations expand.
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Feed Material Soybean Meal Market - View in Detailed Research Report
Regional Market Insights
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Asia-Pacific: Dominates global consumption (50% share), led by China's massive livestock sector which imports 70 million tons annually to supplement domestic production.
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North America: Mature but stable market where the U.S. processes 80% of its 120 million ton soybean crop into meal for poultry and swine operations.
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South America: Major production hub (Brazil + Argentina = 40% of global exports) with growing domestic consumption as regional meat production expands.
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Europe: Faces supply challenges due to GMO restrictions but maintains strong poultry sector demand (15 million tons annually).
Market Segmentation
By Application
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Poultry feed
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Swine feed
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Aquaculture feed
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Ruminant feed
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Pet food
By Processing Method
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Solvent-extracted
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Mechanically extracted
By Protein Content
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High-protein (≥50%)
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Standard (44-48%)
Competitive Landscape
The market is dominated by global agribusiness giants with vertically integrated operations:
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ADM (18% market share)
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Cargill (15% share)
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Bunge (12% share)
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Wilmar International
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COFCO Group
These players are investing heavily in sustainable sourcing, processing innovations and strategic partnerships to maintain leadership positions. Regional specialists like Vippy Soya (India) and Zeeland Farm Services (Netherlands) compete through customized solutions and localized supply chains.
Report Deliverables
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Market size and 7-year forecasts through 2031
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Deep dive into processing technologies and nutritional innovations
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Analysis of sustainability initiatives across the value chain
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Competitive benchmarking of 12+ key players
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Segmentation by application, processing method and region
📘 Get Full Report Here:
Feed Material Soybean Meal Market - View in Detailed Research Report
📥 Download Sample Report:
Feed Material Soybean Meal Market - View in Detailed Research Report
About Intel Market Research
Intel Market Research is a leading provider of strategic intelligence, offering actionable insights in agriculture, food ingredients, and animal nutrition. Our research capabilities include:
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Real-time competitive benchmarking
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Commodity supply chain analysis
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Processing technology assessments
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Over 200 agricultural commodity reports annually
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies, our insights empower decision-makers to drive innovation with confidence.
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