Soybeans and soybean products are Arkansas’s largest agricultural exports.  Arkansas currently ranks 10th in the nation in soybean production, producing more than 150 million bushels annually valued at more than $1.5 billion.

Arkansas Soybean Facts

• Soybeans are Arkansas’s largest row crop at 3.1 million acres, accounting for more acres than rice, corn, sorghum and wheat combined.
  
  
• In 2014, Arkansas’ soybean yield of 49.5 bushels per acre was the highest average yield in state history.
  
  
• Of the $3.72 billion in total agriculture exports in 2014, the USDA estimates $1.2 billion were soybeans and soybean meal.
  
  
• Almost 85 percent of Arkansas soybeans are irrigated. 
  
  
• Advances in agricultural production have allowed Arkansas farmers to produce 38.6-percent more soybeans on 32.3 fewer acres today compared to 40 years ago.
  
  
• In 2014, animal agriculture consumed 27.9 million tons of soybean meal in the U.S.:  the poultry industry consumed the bulk of this as 15.2 million tons went to feed broilers (11.2), turkeys (2), and layers (2).
  
  
• Arkansas ranks fourth in the nation in soybean usage.  Animal agriculture is the largest consumer of soybeans, consuming some 1.75 million tons of soybean meal in 2014, and accounting for $15.98 billion to the state’s economy and some 86,072 jobs.
  
  
• Mulberry, Arkansas is the edamame capital of the U.S. Around 2,000 acres of edamame are produced by Arkansas farmers. This edamame is consumed by U.S. consumers as well as exported to Asian markets.

For more information on Arkansas soybeans, visit the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board website.