Top 10 World's Biggest Country Producers of Soybean
Top 10 World's Biggest Country Producers of Soybean
Top 10 Biggest Country Producers of Soybean in 2024– Based on Food and Agriculture
Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026, there are 10
World’s Biggest Country Producers of Soybean in the World in 2024. As is
commonly known, soybeans as a food ingredient are a source of high-quality
protein with fat content low in saturated and fiber food sources. Important
aspects of soybean as a functional food source can be viewed from the
nutritional content of soybean seeds. Historically, soybean is a plant native
to mainland China and has been cultivated by humans since 2500 BC. Along with
the development and increasing its functions as a human food source, this plant
has been cultivated massively all over the world. Functionally, soybeans can be
processed into tofu, soymilk, and even animal feed.
Taxonomically, these soybeans plants belong to order: Fabales; Family: Fabaceae; Subfamily: Faboideae; Genus: Glycine; Species: G. max. Because the soybeans plants include in fabaceae family, they have a close relationship with some plants in the same family, including Phaseolus (beans), Pisum sativum (pea), Cicer arietinum (chickpeas), Medicago sativa (alfalfa), and Arachis hypogaea (peanut).
Statistically, based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database
(FAOSTAT) in 2026, the world’s production of soybeans has increased from time
to time in the last 60 years. In 1961, the world’s production of Soybean was 26 million tons with harvested
areas 23.8 million hectares. Furthermore, after more than 60 years precisely in
2024, the world’s production of soybeans reached 397 million tons with
harvested areas around 143 million hectares (ha). Based on the yield (productivity),
soybean productivity also increased from 1.13 tons/ hectares (t/ha) in 1961,
and it became 2.78 tons/hectare (t/ha) in the year of 2024.
The World’s Production of Soybean, Harvested Areas, and Yields From 1961 to 2024
|
Years |
World's Area Harvested of Soybean Plants |
World's Production of Soybean |
Yield of Soybean |
|
(Hectares (Ha)) |
(Tons) |
(Tons/ hectare (T/ha)) |
|
|
1961 |
23,818,820 |
26,883,158 |
1.13 |
|
1962 |
23,822,275 |
27,120,148 |
1.14 |
|
1963 |
24,398,949 |
28,207,071 |
1.16 |
|
1964 |
25,681,026 |
29,079,547 |
1.13 |
|
1965 |
25,819,966 |
31,704,923 |
1.23 |
|
1966 |
26,534,256 |
36,412,918 |
1.37 |
|
1967 |
28,112,290 |
37,933,319 |
1.35 |
|
1968 |
28,874,372 |
41,420,481 |
1.43 |
|
1969 |
28,897,038 |
41,967,347 |
1.45 |
|
1970 |
29,525,510 |
43,696,887 |
1.48 |
|
1971 |
30,033,769 |
45,618,769 |
1.52 |
|
1972 |
31,724,286 |
47,257,207 |
1.49 |
|
1973 |
37,391,240 |
59,267,889 |
1.59 |
|
1974 |
37,390,118 |
52,639,832 |
1.41 |
|
1975 |
38,764,952 |
64,248,541 |
1.66 |
|
1976 |
37,167,564 |
57,399,226 |
1.54 |
|
1977 |
42,056,753 |
73,854,802 |
1.76 |
|
1978 |
46,392,180 |
75,449,966 |
1.63 |
|
1979 |
50,708,188 |
88,698,341 |
1.75 |
|
1980 |
50,646,946 |
81,040,368 |
1.60 |
|
1981 |
50,475,793 |
88,525,040 |
1.75 |
|
1982 |
52,384,044 |
92,121,684 |
1.76 |
|
1983 |
49,049,878 |
79,467,061 |
1.62 |
|
1984 |
52,939,196 |
90,752,915 |
1.71 |
|
1985 |
53,063,617 |
101,156,845 |
1.91 |
|
1986 |
51,896,341 |
94,446,350 |
1.82 |
|
1987 |
52,541,951 |
100,102,463 |
1.91 |
|
1988 |
54,861,083 |
93,521,958 |
1.70 |
|
1989 |
58,647,478 |
107,254,261 |
1.83 |
|
1990 |
57,209,429 |
108,456,443 |
1.90 |
|
1991 |
54,924,995 |
102,848,995 |
1.87 |
|
1992 |
56,124,345 |
113,986,117 |
2.03 |
|
1993 |
59,524,887 |
115,245,084 |
1.94 |
|
1994 |
62,476,432 |
136,356,261 |
2.18 |
|
1995 |
62,488,236 |
126,923,182 |
2.03 |
|
1996 |
61,287,569 |
130,173,438 |
2.12 |
|
1997 |
66,921,125 |
144,323,164 |
2.16 |
|
1998 |
70,967,999 |
160,125,822 |
2.26 |
|
1999 |
72,059,456 |
157,814,079 |
2.19 |
|
2000 |
74,307,776 |
161,312,583 |
2.17 |
|
2001 |
76,763,012 |
177,020,743 |
2.31 |
|
2002 |
78,930,501 |
180,950,733 |
2.29 |
|
2003 |
83,600,947 |
190,573,528 |
2.28 |
|
2004 |
91,629,138 |
205,548,134 |
2.24 |
|
2005 |
92,573,297 |
214,542,761 |
2.32 |
|
2006 |
95,329,264 |
221,552,722 |
2.32 |
|
2007 |
90,190,122 |
219,793,275 |
2.44 |
|
2008 |
96,427,113 |
231,223,515 |
2.40 |
|
2009 |
99,385,097 |
223,380,779 |
2.25 |
|
2010 |
102,902,373 |
265,092,202 |
2.58 |
|
2011 |
103,792,075 |
261,618,176 |
2.52 |
|
2012 |
105,470,905 |
241,376,296 |
2.29 |
|
2013 |
111,118,698 |
277,681,481 |
2.50 |
|
2014 |
117,564,947 |
306,288,083 |
2.61 |
|
2015 |
120,847,639 |
323,308,187 |
2.68 |
|
2016 |
122,082,173 |
335,977,764 |
2.75 |
|
2017 |
125,075,204 |
357,416,289 |
2.86 |
|
2018 |
125,582,136 |
347,660,574 |
2.77 |
|
2019 |
123,025,039 |
334,318,492 |
2.72 |
|
2020 |
128,375,144 |
357,351,282 |
2.78 |
|
2021 |
129,879,697 |
373,108,914 |
2.87 |
|
2022 |
135,167,484 |
355,756,517 |
2.63 |
|
2023 |
137,577,525 |
370,876,094 |
2.70 |
|
2024 |
143,175,353 |
397,671,689 |
2.78 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|||
Specifically, based on continental regions, the production of soybeans in 2024 still
concentrated in America regions with production around 337 million tons.
Furthermore, Asia, Europe, and Africa are the next position behind Americas
with production 37 million tons, 17 million tons, 5.7 million tons. From
these conditions, The America Regions still become the backbone in Soybean
Production with contribution more than 60% of world’s soybean production.
The World’s Production of Soybean in 2024 Based on Continent
|
Continental Region |
Production of Soybean in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
5,757,171 |
|
Americas |
337,102,985 |
|
Asia |
37,621,812 |
|
Europe |
17,124,410 |
|
Oceania |
65,311 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Based on the Country’s region, there are 10 World’s Biggest
Producers of Soybean in 2024. Here are the Top 10 Biggest Country Producers of
Soybean in the World of 2024 based on Food and Agriculture Organization
Corporate Statistical Database in 2026.
Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Soybean Country Producers in 2024
|
Rank |
Country Producers |
Production of Soybean in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
Brazil |
144,473,768 |
|
2 |
United States of America |
118,836,440 |
|
3 |
Argentina |
48,213,207 |
|
4 |
China, mainland |
20,650,000 |
|
5 |
India |
15,132,082 |
|
6 |
Paraguay |
11,100,256 |
|
7 |
Canada |
7,568,013 |
|
8 |
Russian Federation |
7,000,000 |
|
9 |
Ukraine |
6,635,180 |
|
10 |
Bolivia (Plurinational State of) |
3,216,440 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
Brief Description of the 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Soybean in 2024
1.Brazil
Brazil still becomes the biggest country producer and largest
exporter of soybean in the world. Statistically, in the year of 2024, based on
the FAOSTAT database of the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), the production
of soybean from Brazil reached 144 million tons and Brazil's soybean production
accounts for nearly 40% of the world's soybean
production. Geographically, there are some states in Brazil which become the main cultivation regions of soybean in Brazil. These
states include Mato Grosso, Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, and Rio
Grande do Sul. Culturally, based on the climatic condition, the Brazil
soybean planting cultivation occurred in September to December and harvesting
time happened in January to April.
Generally, in Brazil, based on its usage, the harvested of soybean
can be processed into miscellaneous derivative products including soybean meal
for making animal feed, soybean oil (biodiesel, cooking oil, paints,
lubricants, and surfactants) and soy-based consumed products (tofu, tempeh, and
soy milk).
2.United States of America
The United States of America is still the 2nd
world’s biggest country producer of soybean in 2024. Based on The FAO
Statistical Database in 2026, the production of Soybean from The USA reached
118 million tons in 2024. Based on geographical region, there are some states
in the United States of America which become the primary regions of soybean
cultivation and affect the
USA’s soybean production. These states are Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota,
Indiana, Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Kansas. In
terms of Soybean Crop Calendar adapting to climate
conditions, the planting time of soybean in the USA occurs in Spring in the
months of to May and the harvesting
time happens in the Autumn season in the
months of September to November. Genetically, some of the popular cultivars of
Soybean cultivated in The United States of America (USA) includes Williams 82,
Pioneer 9550, Asgrow AG 477 and others. Basically, over 95% of US soybeans are
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) for herbicide tolerance for example
Roundup, Enlist, Xtend. Commonly, the harvested soybean from fields in the USA
is processed into different derivative products including animal feed, soybean
oil, tofu, and soy milk.
3.Argentina
Argentina is the 3rd world’s biggest country producer
of soybean in 2024. In that year, the production of tango’s country reached
48.2 million tons. In this country, some companies which have become the main
contribution to Argentina’s soybean production are Cargill, Dreyfus, Bunge,
Glencore, Nidera. Geographically, around 89 percent of soybean production in
Argentina is cultivated in the provinces of Santa Fe, Cordoba, Buenos Aires, and
Entre Rios. Basically, in the soybean calendar time, the planting time
of soybeans
in Argentina usually occurs 2 times:
First Crop (Primera) in the months October to
November and Second Crop (Segunda) in the month of December to January.
Generally, in the post-harvesting aspect, some of the harvested soybean in
Argentina are mainly used for soybean meal and soybean oil.
4.China, mainland
China is the 4th world’s biggest country producer of soybeans in 2024. In that year,
the production of soybeans from China reached 20.65 million tons.
Geographically, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Henan are some of
China's provinces which has bigger production of
soybean than other states in China. Meanwhile, to meet its domestic consumption, China still imported soybean from foreign countries,
namely USA and Brazil, around 112 million
metric tons in 2025. Commonly, the usage of soybean in China is the ingredients
for some soybean-based products including soybean meal, soybean oil, tofu,
tempeh.
5.India
India is the 5th world’s biggest country producer of
soybean in the world. In 2024, the production of soybean reaches 15.1 million
tons. Geographically, in India, the soybean cultivation and production can be
found mostly in some states including Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Telangana. Genetically, Indian
farmers rely on some popular varieties, including JS 335, JS 20-34, JS 20-29,
and NRC Series.
6.Paraguay
Paraguay is the next biggest one of soybean production in 2024
with the production of soybean reaching 11.1 million tons. Geographically, in
Paraguay, Alto Parana, Itapúa, Canindeyu, Caaguazu, and San Pedro become
the main area of cultivation of soybean in Paraguay. In the domestic soybean
economy in Paraguay, some Global giant’s agribusiness companies including ADM,
Cargill, and LDC do business in the soybean
industry in Paraguay. Statistically, Soybeans agribusiness in Paraguay still
becomes the backbone of the Paraguayan economy, contributing more than 40% of total exports in Paraguay.
7. Canada
Canada is the 7th world’s biggest country producer of
soybean in 2024. Statistically, Canada's production of soybean reached 7.5 tons. In this country,
there are some main regions of soybean area production. These areas
include Quebec, Manitoba, Maritimes, southeast Saskatchewan, and
southern Alberta. In the statistical region of Soybean, Ontario province still becomes the main
contributor of soybean production in Canada which contributes around 58% of
Canada's total production. Manitoba province is the 2nd largest contributor
with production of soybean reaching 22% and Quebec province is the next
contributor which produces about 18% of Canada's soybean production. Based on
the cultivation periods of Soybean in Canada, the planting time of soybean in Canada
was conducted in the late April to May and harvesting
time occurred in the late September to November.
8. Russian Federation
Russia is the next biggest
producer of soybean in
the year of 2024. In that year, the production of soybeans from Russia reached
7 million tons. Based on the cultivation region of soybean, there are some main
regions of soybean production in Russia, and these areas are Amur
Region, Belgorod Region, Krasnodar Territory, and Kursk Region.
Genetically, some popular Russian genetics of
soybean are Annushka, Lydiya, Kitrossa, and Sfera and these breeds are resistant and produce well for wintry conditions.
9.Ukraine
Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest country producers of Soybean
in 2024 from Europe region with soybean production of around 6.63 million tons
in 2024. Based on the area of this country, the production of soybean is
concentrated in the Central part of Ukraine, namely Khmelnytsky,
Poltava, Kyiv, Vinnytsya, and Kirovograd. Besides fulfilling domestic consumption,
Ukraine also exports its soybean to other countries especially in Europe region including the Netherlands,
Italy, and Germany.
10. Bolivia
Bolivia is the 10th biggest country producer in
soybean production in 2024. In that year, the production of soybean from
Bolivia reached 3.21 million tons. Based on the region in Bolivia,
soybeans are mostly produced in the Santa Cruz region. Culturally, soybean
cultivation is conducted in the summertime and wintertime. In the
summertime, the planting period occurs in November – December and Harvesting
time happens in
March – April. Meanwhile, the Winter season, the planting time occurs in June –
July and harvesting time happens in October to
November.
The Table Summary of 10 World's Biggest Country Producers of Soybean in 2024
The Histogram Summary of 10 World's Biggest Country Producers of Soybean in 2024
Bibliography of Top 10 Biggest Soybean Producers in the World
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