Soybean crushing in Brazil is expected to reach 61 million tons in 2026.

The Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (Abiove) has updated its projections for the soybean complex, highlighting the leading role of domestic processing. The main highlight of the new report is the expectation that soybean crushing in Brazil will reach a record level of 61 million tons in 2026, representing an increase of 0.8% compared to the previous estimate.

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This boost in industrial activity is accompanied by growth in the supply of by-products. According to Abiove's projections for 2026, soybean meal production is estimated at 47 million tons (+0.9%), while soybean oil production should reach 12.25 million tons (+0.8%). This scenario is supported by robust agricultural production, which, according to Conab data, is estimated at 177.1 million tons for the next cycle.

In international trade, Brazil is expected to maintain its leadership with exports of 111.5 million tons of soybeans (+0.5%). In the by-products segment, projections indicate shipments of 24.6 million tons of soybean meal and significant growth of 11.5% in soybean oil exports, which are expected to reach 1.45 million tons. “The growing focus on crushing reflects the maturation of the Brazilian industry. By processing 61 million tons, we are adding value to our raw material and guaranteeing the supply of protein and energy for the domestic and global markets,” emphasizes Daniel Furlan Amaral, Director of Economics and Regulatory Affairs at Abiove.

Balance of the Soybean Complex in 2025

The sector's performance in 2025 already anticipated this upward trend. Consolidated crushing for the year closed at 58.5 million tons, processing a harvest that reached 171.5 million tons of grains, according to Conab. Similarly, industrial activity in 2025, according to data from Abiove, resulted in the production of 45.1 million tons of soybean meal and 11.7 million tons of soybean oil.

Regarding trade flow, data validated by the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex) confirms the export of 108.2 million tons.

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Exports included 23.3 million tons of soybean meal and 1.36 million tons of soybean oil. On the import side, the country acquired 969,000 tons of soybeans and 105,000 tons of soybean oil to meet specific demands.

Monthly and cumulative processing

The industry's strength was reaffirmed by the monthly data. In November 2025, soybean processing totaled 4.369 million tons, a volume 5.4% higher than that recorded in November 2024 (adjusted for the sample percentage).

For the year as a whole, the sector shows solid growth. Between January and November 2025, processing reached 48.1 million tons, representing an increase of 4.61% compared to the same period of the previous year, consolidating 2025 as a year of continued expansion for the vegetable oil industries.