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Brazil's soybean processing infrastructure has undergone a significant expansion, with crushing capacity reaching 86.4 million metric tons per year in 2026—a 13% increase from the prior year. This data, reported by industry association Abiove on Tuesday via Reuters, underscores the country's aggressive growth trajectory in the oilseed sector.
According to Abiove, which represents global agribusiness giants such as ADM, Bunge, and Cargill in Brazil, the expansion is primarily driven by escalating demand for soybean oil and soybean meal. Soybean oil serves as the critical feedstock for Brazil's domestic biodiesel industry, while soybean meal remains a fundamental component for the global animal feed market.
Looking ahead, Abiove anticipates a record-breaking processing volume for 2026, forecasting that the total soybean crush will hit 63.5 million tons. This momentum is supported by a substantial financial commitment from processors, who have announced investments totaling 7.7 billion reais ($1.5 billion) aimed at both upgrading existing operations and constructing new industrial plants across the country.
The association's annual report indicates that these investment projects are slated to commence within the next 12 months, potentially adding another 7.4 million tons to Brazil's annual crushing capacity.
The operational landscape is also shifting toward greater efficiency. The number of active soybean crushing plants in Brazil has increased to 148, up from 131 in the previous year. Simultaneously, the number of idle facilities has been halved from 12 to six, and the count of projects currently under construction has decreased from six to three as they move toward completion and enter active service.
Source: Reuters / Abiove