U.S. soybean processors crushed 199 million bushels in September, down 5% from August, with crude soybean oil production declining 6% and meal output falling even further. The data shows a significant shift in oil use, with inedible applications rising 15% year-over-year while food-grade oil demand decreased.
- September soybean crush totaled 5.96 million tons (199 million bushels), down 5% from August's 210 million bushels
- Crude soybean oil production fell 6% to 2.31 billion pounds, while meal output dropped to 4.19 million tons from 4.66 million tons
- Inedible soybean oil use surged 15% to 705 million pounds year-over-year, while edible oil demand fell to 1.22 billion pounds
- Regional declines were steepest in Iowa (down to 1.17 million tons from 1.38 million) and Illinois (671,066 tons from 832,063 tons)
- Meal stocks plummeted to 293,358 tons from 452,530 tons in August, reflecting reduced processing activity
U.S. processors crushed 5.96 million tons, or 199 million bushels, of soybeans in September, down from 210 million bushels in August and 205 million bushels a year earlier, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported.
The figures come from the Fats and Oils report, released by NASS. The September crush was about 5% below August and 3% below September 2025. August had 31 days and September had 30, which accounts for part of the monthly drop.
Crude soybean oil production totaled 2.31 billion pounds, down 6% from August and 4% from a year earlier. Once-refined soybean oil output was 1.91 billion pounds, down 5% from August and 2% from September 2025.
Meal output fell further than the crush. Crushers produced 4.19 million tons of soybean cake and meal, down from 4.66 million tons in August and 4.53 million tons a year earlier. Of that, 4.14 million tons was produced for animal feed. Meal stocks at the end of September dropped to 293,358 tons, from 452,530 tons at the end of August and 341,070 tons a year earlier.
Oil use shifted toward nonfood markets. Once-refined soybean oil removed for inedible uses totaled 705 million pounds, up about 15% from 615 million pounds in September 2025. Oil removed for edible uses fell to 1.22 billion pounds from 1.34 billion pounds a year earlier. Crude oil stocks ended the month at 1.07 billion pounds, down from 1.28 billion pounds at the end of August.
Regional crush data showed the biggest monthly decline in Iowa, where processors crushed 1.17 million tons, down from 1.38 million tons in August. Illinois crush fell to 671,066 tons from 832,063 tons. The North and East region, which includes Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, rose to 1.36 million tons from 1.14 million tons.
Canola crush rose to 238,790 tons from 229,809 tons in August and 230,362 tons a year earlier. Canola crude oil production was 182 million pounds, and canola meal output reached 143,261 tons. Cottonseed once-refined oil production fell 53% from August to 10.4 million pounds.
NASS also tracked rendered fats used in feed and biofuel markets. Inedible tallow production was 290 million pounds, up 1% from August but down 5% from a year earlier. Choice white grease output rose 11% from a year earlier to 110 million pounds, while technical tallow fell 10% to 89 million pounds. Edible tallow production rose to 86.7 million pounds.
