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Soybean exports increased by more than 12% in 2025, could help create additional demand in 2026

The CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council says record soybean meal exports in 2025 could help create more consistent demand for farmers in 2026.

Jim Sutter tells Brownfield, “Farmers need to have the demand to take away what they’re producing,” he says. “When you see the widespread demand growth that’s happening, it can give farmers some confidence as they make decisions about what they’re going to produce and if there’s going to be a market for it.”

The USDA’s latest Global Agricultural Trade System data said overall soybean export volumes increased by more than 12 percent during market year 2024-2025. Sutter says the reliability the U.S. soybean industry contributed to that rise.

“It’s that high quality and the sustainability,” he says. “There was also the diversification with soybean meal taking a larger share of that total.”

He says the improving economic situation in parts of Southeast Asia are a contributing factor.

“People are getting a little bit more disposable income and one of the first things they want to do is increase their consumption of meat,” he says. “That increased poultry demand is what’s driving the increased demand for soybean meal to be used in those poultry rations.”

Sutter says exports have been strong to start off 2026, and the organization expects the trend to continue throughout the rest of the marketing year. 

AUDIO: Jim Sutter, USSEC