What is soybean meal?

Soybean meal is the solid residue left after extracting oil from soybeans, and it is the main protein feed ingredient used in animal diets. It is traded as a processed, dried meal, either in ground or pelleted form.

How does soybean meal differ from whole soybeans, hulls, or soy protein concentrate?

Soybean meal is distinct from whole soybeans because the oil has been removed, concentrating the protein. It is also different from soybean hulls, which are the outer seed coats and lower in protein, and from soy protein concentrate, which undergoes further processing to raise protein content.

What quality factors matter when buying soybean meal?

Buyers assess protein content, fiber level, and urease activity to gauge nutritional value and proper processing. Protein content drives feed formulation, fiber affects digestibility, and urease activity indicates whether the meal was heated enough to inactivate anti-nutritional factors.

How should soybean meal be stored?

Soybean meal should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area, protected from moisture and pests. Proper moisture control prevents mould growth and nutrient degradation, and good ventilation avoids condensation that can lead to caking.

What are the main end uses of soybean meal?

Soybean meal is used primarily as a protein source in animal feed for poultry, swine, cattle, and aquaculture. It is also used in pet food and in the production of textured vegetable protein for human consumption.

Soybean Meal

Soybean meal is the protein‑rich solid residue obtained after extracting oil from soybeans. It is a by‑product of oil processing and is traded internationally in metric tons as a key ingredient for animal feed.

Prices, specifications and international trade for soybean meal under HS 230400.

Soybean Meal Price

$372USD/t

Published reference · Jul 1, 2026

Soybean meal is quoted in USD/t at BRA. Historical customs values may differ from the headline reference.

Explore soybean meal prices

Soybean Meal Historical Unit Values

Soybean Meal Suppliers

Find soybean meal suppliers and exporters for your specification, buying volume and preferred origin. Explore supplier locations, compare sourcing requirements and request a shortlist.

Explore soybean meal suppliers

Soybean Meal Exports and Imports

Loading trade map…

Brazil led reported soybean meal exports in 2025, at $7.9B.

Compare soybean meal exporting countries

Soybean Meal Specifications and Quality

Soybean meal grading factors include Moisture, Crude Protein, and Crude Fiber.

Grading Factors

Quality assessment for soybean meal considers Moisture, Crude Protein, and Crude Fiber.

Moisture
Measures water content; high moisture can lead to spoilage and reduced shelf life.
Crude Protein
Indicates protein level; buyers seek high protein for feed formulation.
Crude Fiber
Reflects indigestible fiber; excessive fiber lowers nutritional value.
Fat
Residual oil content; low fat is typical for solvent‑extracted meal.
Anti‑caking Agent
Added to improve flowability; excess may affect feed processing.

Common Defects

Recorded defects for soybean meal include High moisture content, Foreign material contamination, and Overheating damage.

High moisture content
Excess moisture can lead to mould growth, caking, and nutrient degradation, making the meal less free-flowing and potentially unsafe.
Foreign material contamination
The presence of foreign materials such as stones, metal, or weed seeds reduces the nutritional value and can damage feed mixing equipment.
Overheating damage
Overheating during processing can cause the meal to darken and reduce the availability of lysine, an essential amino acid, lowering its feed value.
Under-processing
Inadequate toasting leaves anti-nutritional factors like trypsin inhibitors active, which can impair animal digestion and growth.

Soybean Meal Facts and HS Code

Soybean meal belongs to meals and feed ingredients within grains, oilseeds, oils and feed. Its customs classification covers HS 230400.

Soybean Meal HS Code

Also known as	Soybean hulls
Scientific name	Glycine max
Product type	Intermediate
Form	Dried
Position in the chain	By product
Category	Meals and feed ingredients — Grains, oilseeds, oils and feed
HS codes	230400
HS6 description	Oil-cake and other solid residues; whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of soya-bean oil
Quoted in	USD/t
Reference location	BRA

Production & Handling

Soybean meal storage guidance: Stored in a ventilated, dry place away from toxic or hazardous materials.

Production and Storage

Perishability	Low
Temperature regime	Ambient
Storage conditions	Stored in a ventilated, dry place away from toxic or hazardous materials.
Production methods	Farmed
Processing steps	Soybean cultivation Harvest Cleaning Crushing/Flaking Solvent oil extraction Meal drying Screening

Packaging

Typical soybean meal packaging includes Bulk hopper car or truck, Bagged in multiwall paper or polywoven sacks, and Bulk pellets.

Bulk hopper car or truck
Bulk shipment in dedicated hopper cars or trucks is common for large feed manufacturers, offering cost efficiency and easy pneumatic handling.
Bagged in multiwall paper or polywoven sacks
Fifty-kilogram paper or polywoven bags are used for smaller lots, retail distribution, or where bagged handling is preferred.
Bulk pellets
Pellets are often shipped in bulk because they are denser and less dusty, reducing storage space and improving flowability.

Uses & Risks

Soybean meal is used in Animal feed, Pet food, and Organic fertilizer.

End Uses

Animal feed
Primary source of protein for livestock and poultry diets.
Pet food
Used as a protein ingredient in commercial pet formulations.
Organic fertilizer
Spent meal can be applied as a soil amendment.

Uses and Related Commodities

Downstream industries	Livestock feed manufacturers, Pet food manufacturers, Fertilizer producers

Sourcing risks

Risk	Category	Severity	Mitigation
Drought ClimateMedium Insufficient rainfall in key soybean‑growing regions reduces crop yields, limiting meal supply.	Climate	Medium	Sourcing from diversified regions and maintaining buffer inventories.
Residual anti‑nutritional factors Food safetyMedium Untreated soybeans contain compounds that can impair digestibility and animal health.	Food safety	Medium	Apply heat treatment or solvent extraction processes that deactivate anti‑nutritional factors.

Soybean Meal Questions

What is soybean meal?: Soybean meal is the solid residue left after extracting oil from soybeans, and it is the main protein feed ingredient used in animal diets. It is traded as a processed, dried meal, either in ground or pelleted form.
How does soybean meal differ from whole soybeans, hulls, or soy protein concentrate?: Soybean meal is distinct from whole soybeans because the oil has been removed, concentrating the protein. It is also different from soybean hulls, which are the outer seed coats and lower in protein, and from soy protein concentrate, which undergoes further processing to raise protein content.
What quality factors matter when buying soybean meal?: Buyers assess protein content, fiber level, and urease activity to gauge nutritional value and proper processing. Protein content drives feed formulation, fiber affects digestibility, and urease activity indicates whether the meal was heated enough to inactivate anti-nutritional factors.
How should soybean meal be stored?: Soybean meal should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area, protected from moisture and pests. Proper moisture control prevents mould growth and nutrient degradation, and good ventilation avoids condensation that can lead to caking.
What are the main end uses of soybean meal?: Soybean meal is used primarily as a protein source in animal feed for poultry, swine, cattle, and aquaculture. It is also used in pet food and in the production of textured vegetable protein for human consumption.