New USSEC Report Offers Fresh Insights on Non-GMO Soybean Production

U.S. Non-GMO Soy Food Production Holds Steady in 2025 as Export Demand Remains Strong.

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), with support from the Soy Checkoff, has a new study that expands on USDA data to provide a clearer picture of non-GMO soybean acreage nationwide.

Non-GMO soy food beans production remained stable over the past year, continuing to account for the majority of non-GMO soybean acres across the country. In 2025, growers planted 2.22 million acres of non-GMO soybeans designated for food use, with 1.67 million acres produced under contract. Non-GMO soy food beans production represents 2% of all soybeans produced in the United States, nearly unchanged from 2024.

With the Chicago Board of Trade soybean prices holding around $10 per bushel, soy food beans production has become an increasingly attractive option for growers looking to boost profitability.  For those farmers growing non-GMO soybeans under contract, their share of non-GMO acres dedicated to soy food beans increased from 65% in 2024 to 67% in 2025.

Farmers reported average farm gate premiums of $2.53 per bushel in 2025 for non-GMO soy food beans. This figure represents an average across all varieties, including tofu, soy milk, and natto beans, and should not be interpreted as reflective of actual premiums paid by buyers.

Exports continue to drive the U.S. non-GMO soy food beans market, with varieties grown primarily for traditional Asian soy foods. The top uses of U.S.-grown soy food beans include tofu (41% of acres), soy milk (21%), natto (14%), miso (9%), and soy sauce (6%).

U.S. Produced Soy Food Bean Exports

While Japan, Korea, and Taiwan remain the top export markets, demand is also rising from smaller-volume markets in Southeast Asia as well as from U.S. domestic buyers.

“These insights into the Non-GMO soybean market help USSEC members and U.S. Soy customers understand production trends,” explains Will McNair, Director, USSEC Soy Foods, Oil and Global Team Development. “They can also inform efforts to increase the supply of non-GMO soybeans raised for soy food production. I encourage all those involved in the industry to use the Non-GMO Soybean Report as a tool to inform future planning.”

This article is funded in part by the Soy Checkoff.