Food & Fuel
Clean Fuels Support Fuel Security and Food Security
U.S. soybean oil is a preferred feedstock for biomass-based diesel fuels, including biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Boosting domestic production of clean fuels supports energy independence, a key priority for our nation. It also supports farm profitability and stability, enabling farmers to meet growing demand for food and fuel.
Clean fuels are essential to our farm and food security.
Roughly 80% of a soybean’s composition is soybean meal, an energy- and protein-rich component in feed for poultry, swine, cattle and other livestock. Soybean oil accounts for the remaining 20% of a processed soybean. In other words, 600 pounds of soybean oil and 2,400 pounds of protein are generated for every 50 bushels of soybeans harvested.
U.S. crush capacity has grown dramatically to meet domestic demand in recent years. National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) reports that domestic crush capacity increased by 25% since 2021, totaling more than $6 billion in U.S. investment. That growth will continue for the foreseeable future. Based on planned expansions of existing facilities and new processing plants slated to come online, projections show domestic crush capacity reaching more than 2.5 billion bushels by the end of 2026.
This additional crush capacity will provide U.S. livestock producers with increased access to soybean meal for animal nutrition and deliver feedstock to meet growing demand for clean fuels production.
Source: Gordon Denny, LLC
Soybean Meal in U.S. Animal Diets (2022)
How Do Clean Fuels Impact Food Security?
Purdue University research shows that increased demand for soybean oil used in biomass-based fuels has almost no net impact on food prices. In fact, excess soy protein available because of increased soybean production can actually reduce the cost of animal feed and, ultimately, lower the prices of certain items at checkout. The top three consumers of soybean meal within animal agriculture are poultry, swine and cattle (beef and dairy). As you can see, this covers a wide range of animal-based protein sources available at the grocery store and found regularly on Americans’ plates.
Source: Purdue University
Access to quality, cost-effective feed is one significant factor that encourages livestock producers to increase the size of their herds. When this happens, our food system is strengthened by a more robust, stable supply for meat, dairy and egg processors across the country.
Source: Soybean Meal Info Center
Clean Fuels and Farm Security
How does all of this impact farm security? Economic analysis shows that biodiesel and renewable diesel production supports 10% of the value
of every bushel of U.S. grown soybeans. When there are strong, diverse domestic markets for soybeans — from clean fuels to animal feed to myriad other new soy uses — farmers experience greater economic stability.
Source: Economic Impact of Biodiesel on the US Economy 2024
It’s important to note that soybean export markets remain strong, even as clean fuels drive expanded domestic use of oil. And because soybean yields have doubled over the past 40 years and are expected to grow by half a bushel per acre each year, we are well-positioned to continue meeting demand abroad.
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Production, Supply and Distribution
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