Overview
Processed soybeans are the largest source of protein feed and the second largest source of vegetable oil in the world. The United States is the world's leading soybean producer and exporter. Farm value of U.S. soybean production in 2007/08 was $27 billion, the second-highest value among U.S.-produced crops, trailing only corn. Soybean and soybean product exports accounted for 43 percent of U.S. soybean production in 2007/08. Soybeans are about 90 percent of U.S. total
oilseed production, while other oilseeds—such as
cottonseed, sunflowerseed, canola, and peanuts—account for
the remainder. ERS analyzes events in the domestic and
international oilseed markets that influence supply, demand,
trade, and prices.
Features
Fluctuating Food Commodity Prices: A Complex Issue With No Easy Answers (November 2008) explores the many factors that contributed to the rapid escalation of food commodity prices through mid-2008. For the full report, see Global Agricultural Supply and Demand: Factors Contributing to the Recent Increase in Food Commodity Prices (July 2008).
2008 Farm Bill Side-By-Side (August 2008) presents a title-by-title summary of key provisions of the 2008 Act in a side-by-side comparison with previous legislation. The side-by-side includes links to related ERS publications and to analyses of previous farm acts. New features include a user's guide, an A-Z list of major provisions, and a search function.
Oil
Crops Outlook provides a monthly update of market
developments for soybeans, other oilseeds, and their products.
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