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Your soybeans power one of the fastest-growing domestic markets in renewable energy.

Strong domestic markets are essential to profitability for Ohio soybean farmers. One of the most impactful markets for soybeans is the biodiesel market. Produced from soybean oil, biodiesel plays a critical role in supporting U.S. energy needs while creating demand for your soybeans. As demand for cleaner-burning, lower-carbon fuels continues to grow, biodiesel remains a reliable, homegrown solution benefiting soybean farmers.

Turning Soybeans Into Energy Demand

For soybean farmers, biodiesel is a dependable domestic market that directly ties farm production to energy demand. Many diesel equipment manufacturers, fuel suppliers, and trucking fleets are adopting biodiesel as a practical way to lower carbon emissions without sacrificing performance, and biodiesel is a proven solution already working in real-world applications across the agriculture, transportation, rail, marine, and heating markets. 

Adding Value to Every Bushel

Biodiesel delivers value back to the farm. According to a study by Clean Fuels Alliance America, biodiesel adds approximately 10 percent in value to every bushel of soybeans sold. Today, the biodiesel industry consumes an average of 1 billion pounds of soybean oil each month, oil produced from roughly 93.5 million bushels of soybeans. This level of consistent domestic demand supports soybean prices and adds stability in fluctuating global markets. 

Soybean Oil Drives the Biodiesel Market

Soybean oil is one of the most widely used feedstocks in biodiesel production. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, soybean oil accounts for approximately 34 percent of the feedstocks consumed by the U.S. biofuels industry. 

That demand translates directly into value for farmers. Biodiesel and renewable diesel production represent about 10 percent of the value of all soybeans grown in the U.S., creating an expanding market for nearly half of the soybean oil processed domestically.

Looking ahead, industry projections estimate total biodiesel and renewable diesel use could exceed 6 billion gallons by 2030, using as much as 18 billion pounds of soybean oil annually. That growth opens opportunities for soybean farmers to capture additional value from every acre.

Your Soybean Checkoff At Work

The Ohio soybean checkoff actively invests in expanding biodiesel markets to make sure biodiesel blends work seamlessly in engines. Partnerships with equipment manufacturers have helped secure compatibility, such as John Deere’s approved use of B30 (30% biodiesel blend) in all Tier 4 power-system engines. Checkoff programs also promote biodiesel usage in fleets, rail, marine, and bioheat markets, helping supply chains meet sustainability goals while strengthening demand for Ohio soybeans.

Biodiesel is a long-term domestic market adding value to Ohio soybean production. Learn more about how your checkoff builds market demand.