Global Soybean Meal Market Trends 2024: Key Drivers of Price Volatility and Export Opportunities
2025-10-10
Industry Research
The global soybean meal market is undergoing structural transformation in 2024, driven by shifting supply-demand dynamics, rising animal feed demand, and evolving trade policies. This analysis explores the nutritional value of soybean meal in livestock nutrition, emphasizing best practices for processing to preserve protein activity and palatability. It examines core pricing factors—such as养殖 cycles, import tariffs, and climate variability—supported by recent industry data. Real-world case studies illustrate optimized inclusion rates in feed formulations across regions. The article also highlights high-value downstream applications like functional feed ingredients and organic fertilizer development, offering a strategic pathway for oilseed processors to convert by-products into profitable growth areas. Stay ahead of the curve: capture the soybean meal红利 period and turn every ton of by-product into new revenue.
Global Soybean Meal Market Trends in 2024: Unlocking Export Opportunities Amid Price Volatility
The global soybean meal market is undergoing a structural shift in 2024—driven by rising animal feed demand, fluctuating import tariffs, and climate-sensitive crop yields. For soy oil producers and feed manufacturers, this volatility isn’t just a challenge—it’s a strategic window to convert by-products into profit centers.
Why Soybean Meal Matters: Nutrition Meets Practicality
With crude protein content averaging 44–48% and digestible amino acids like lysine and methionine, soybean meal remains the gold standard in livestock nutrition. According to the FAO 2023 Feed Industry Report, over 70% of global poultry and swine diets rely on soybean meal as their primary protein source.
| Nutrient Profile (per kg) |
Typical Range |
| Crude Protein |
44–48% |
| Energy (ME) |
2,800–3,000 kcal/kg |
| Lysine Content |
2.5–2.8% |
What’s Driving Price Fluctuations?
In Q1 2024, soybean meal prices rose 12% YoY in Southeast Asia due to drought impacts in Brazil and increased demand from Vietnam’s pig farming sector. Meanwhile, EU import duties on U.S.-origin meal surged to 7%, affecting profitability for exporters. Key drivers include:
- Feedstock supply chain disruptions – Droughts in South America reduced soybean yields by ~8% in 2023.
- Animal disease outbreaks – African Swine Fever resurgence in China boosted soybean meal usage per ton of pork produced.
- Trade policy shifts – New tariffs on Chinese exports have redirected some volume to India and Indonesia.
From Byproduct to Value-Added Product: Real-World Case Studies
A Malaysian oilseed processor saw a 22% increase in margins after switching from selling raw meal to producing functional feed ingredients—like enzyme-enhanced soybean meal for aquaculture. Similarly, a Vietnamese feed mill integrated soybean meal with fermented wheat bran to reduce feed costs by 15% while improving gut health in broilers (data from Vietnam Feed Research Institute, 2023).
Unlocking High-Value Paths Beyond Basic Feed
Don’t stop at bulk sales—explore these growth vectors:
- Organic fertilizer production – Up to 30% of soybean meal can be converted into high-nitrogen organic fertilizers for premium markets in Europe and Japan.
- Functional feed additives – Fermentation or extrusion processes enhance palatability and bioavailability, especially for dairy cattle and aquaculture species.
- Co-processing with other agri-wastes – Blending with rice bran or cottonseed cake creates cost-effective, nutrient-rich compound feeds.
“The key is not just quantity—but how you position your product.” — Dr. Lin Wei, Agri-Economics Lead, Asian Feed Council
As global feed demand continues to rise—with projections showing a 4.3% annual growth through 2027—the time to act is now. Whether you're an oilseed processor looking to optimize yield or a feed mill aiming to boost margins, leveraging soybean meal’s full potential means thinking beyond traditional channels.
