Global Soybean Hulls Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Loose Form & Pellet Form), By Application (Ruminant Diets, Swine Diets & Poultry Diets) and Regional Forecast to 2033

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SOYBEAN HULLS MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Soybean Hulls Market size stood at USD 1.91 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.18 Billion by 2033 at an estimated CAGR of 6%.

The U.S. soybean hulls market is shaped by sustainable agriculture trends, livestock nutrition needs, and industrial applications. As a byproduct of soybean processing, hulls offer cost-effective, high-fiber feed options, aligning with eco-friendly farming practices and supporting various sectors like biofuels and biodegradable materials.

Soybean Hulls Market is probably one of, if not the largest, market segments of the global feed market, highly demanded by consumers looking for cheaper and more efficient feed. The products that are made from processed soybeans are the soybean hulls, while the uses of the product include improving digestive tracts in animals as these are sources of fiber. Due to the expansion in the livestock business and the indications that it has taken a positive turn and organic feed is a fundamental necessity in farming, the market for soybean hulls is expanding.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT: 

Market Growth Restrained by Pandemic due to­ Demand decline

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

COVID-19 pandemic which caused a decrease in demand for soybean hulls over the year as a result of a disturbed supply chain and decreased livestock production. Limitations on movements through lockdowns and restrictions affected transport and handling processes, resulting in a slowdown in the market. This estrangement also means changes in the price mode of soybean hulls as well as the general stability of the market.

LATEST TRENDS

Market growth driven by sustainable livestock production and eco-friendly feed

A major trend defined in the soybean hull market is the continually rising emphasis on sustainable livestock production, which has also redirected attention towards using soybean hulls as an environmentally friendly high-fiber feed component. This has been occasioned by heightened concern over the impacts of the environment and pressure to make agriculture conducive to the surrounding environment. In the age of sustainability, these hulls are slowly rising to the spotlight as the best choice of material used in organic as well as environmentally friendly agriculture.

• According to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), U.S. soybean production reached 420.58 million metric tons in MY 2024/25, marking a 6 percent year-over-year increase that boosts available hull volumes.

• As per USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) market news, soybean hulls traded steady at USD 150 per ton in Q1 2025, while pelleted hulls ranged between USD 165–190 per ton .

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SOYBEAN HULLS MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on type the global market can be categorized into Loose Form & Pellet Form.

• Loose Form: Soybean hulls, in most cases, are fluffy, which allows feed manufacturers to easily include them in their feeds. They are also cheap. They serve as a good source of fiber in the feeds of livestock, enhancing their digestion systems and health. However, loose-form hulls can have a few drawbacks in comparison to the conveniences of pellet-form feeds.

• Pellet Form: Soybean hulls are compacted in the form of pellets to ease their handling, storage, and transportation. This form enhances feed utilization and thus reduces wastage since it does not produce much dust or spillage. This way, the pellets also guarantee a better nutrient supply to the livestock as compared to the meal.

By Application

Based on application the global market can be categorized into Ruminant Diets, Swine Diets & Poultry Diets.

• Ruminant Diets: Soybean hull has been used in ruminant diets because it is high in fiber, which is beneficial in the digestion process and enhances the rumen. They are used to support a healthy gut profile and improve the feed-conversion ratio. Their inclusion enhances the possibility of growth and milk yield in cattle to the maximum level.

• Swine Diets:  soybean hulls are used for their fiber which is beneficial for digestion and the prevention of digestive problems. It makes an improvement in feed intake and general health in pigs. Also, soybean hulls can be particularly useful in decreasing the cost of swine feed.

• Poultry Diets: Soybean hulls are utilized in commercially produced poultry feed to supply fibrous material at a reasonable market price and to enhance specific digestive health. They assist in feeding supplements to improve the ratio feeding efficiency. However, their application is regulated to avoid compromising the quality of the poultry meat and eggs that are produced.

DRIVING FACTORS

Animal health focus boosts growth through demand

Animal health and nutritional concerns have become significant aspects that are often being considered in the soybean hull market. Soybean hulls, which are high in fiber content, are widely used in feed formulations to enhance digestion in livestock, and therefore the demand has been high which result to global Soybean hulls market growth.

Sustainable agriculture drives growth through eco-friendly adoption

The growth of the market for sustainable agriculture is also driving the market for soybean hulls, since they are an environmentally friendly product. Soybean hulls are gradually being incorporated into the diets of livestock by farmers as a way of changing heel environment.

• According to the American Soybean Association’s SoyStats®, U.S. farmers planted 83.6 million acres of soybeans in 2023—a 1.2 percent rise year-over-year that increases hull byproduct supply .

• Based on USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) data, U.S. soybean crushings were forecast at 2.3 billion bushels for MY 2023/24, ensuring consistent hull output.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Climate-driven soybean yield fluctuations challenge consistent market growth

Main challenges that the soybean hull market faces are fluctuation in the output, which is the raw material for soybean hulls. Their yields are sensitive to changes in weather conditions such that a change in climate brings about either a surplus or a scarcity of the crop, hence affecting market stability.

• According to USDA AMS, pelleted soybean hull volumes traded 5 percent lower in Q1 2025 versus Q4 2024, reflecting short-term demand fluctuations.

• As per the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), global livestock feed demand volatility caused up to 4 percent variation in soybean byproduct usage across 2024.

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SOYBEAN HULLS MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America dominates market growth due to demand and sustainability

The market is primarily segregated into Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, North America, and Middle East & Africa.

North America holds the largest consumption region of soybean hulls share due to the leading production of soybeans and well-developed agriculture facilities. The region has a well-developed animal production industry, hence the high demand for soybean hulls as one of the alternative feed resources. Also, the shift towards sustainable farming, which is well prevalent in North American companies, ultimately enhances the position of North America in the market.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Supply disruptions and diversification slow market growth value

Market players in the soybean hull market have therefore been eliminating it by diversifying into other feed materials due to supply disruptions and an inconsistent supply of soybeans. Through senior authorities’ strategic shift towards more dependable and diverse feed sources, which have included, though now diminished, soybean hulls, organizations are part of the reason that the value and volume of this market are slowing.

• Bunge: According to USDA FAS, Bunge operates 13 soybean crushing facilities in the U.S., representing 25.5 percent of national daily crush capacity (36,400 short tons/day).

• Cargill: As per U.S. Soybean Export Council, Cargill expanded crush operations with 3 new plant upgrades in 2023, boosting its throughput by 8 percent year-over-year.

List of Top Soybean Hulls Companies 

• Bunge (U.S)
• Cargill (U.S)
• Louis Dreyfus (U.S)
• Wilmar International (Singapore)
• Arkema (U.S)

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

July 2023, Cargill, a company that is involved in the agriculture market, informed us that it is planning to open a new facility in the United States for the purpose of refining soybean hulls for animal feed production. The following development was established to improve their supply chain capacity and respond to the growing market demand for sustainable feed products. The facility will be an added advantage to their endeavor to meet the need to supply the livestock industry with out-of-the-box and environmentally sustainable feed types.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

The research report delves into market segmentation, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a thorough analysis. It also evaluates the impact of financial and strategic perspectives on the market. Furthermore, the report presents national and regional assessments, considering the dominant forces of supply and demand that influence market growth. The competitive landscape is meticulously detailed, including market shares of significant competitors. The report incorporates novel research methodologies and player strategies tailored for the anticipated timeframe. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics in a formal and easily understandable manner.