Soy Stats^®, A Reference Guide To Important Soybean Facts & Figures, is a comprehensive resource for statistical information about the U.S. soybean industry and its relationship to world oilseed production. Publication of the Soy Stats Online Guide here on SoyStats.com will make this information available to millions of people in the United States and around the world. 

Major funding for the 2010 edition of Soy Stats® was provided by the United Soybean Board, with additional financial support from the Iowa Soybean Association, Illinois Soybean Association, Indiana Soybean Alliance, South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, North Dakota Soybean Council, U.S. Soybean Export Council, Ohio Soybean Council, Kentucky Soybean Board, Kansas Soybean Commission, Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, North Carolina Soybean Producers Association, and Arkansas Soybean Association & Texas Soybean Association.

Soybeans were planted on 77.5 million acres (31.4 million hectares) in 2009, producing 3.361 billion bushels (91.48 million metric tons) of soybeans. The average price paid to farmers was $9.45 per bushel ($347 per metric ton). The total 2009 crop value exceeded $31.7 billion. 

In 2009, soybeans represented 53 percent of world oilseed production, and 38 percent of those soybeans were produced in the United States. The United States exported 1.283 billion bushels (34.9 million metric tons) of soybeans, which accounted for 46 percent of the world's soybean trade. 

U.S. soybean and product exports exceeded $21 billion in 2009. China was the largest customer for U.S. soybeans with purchases exceeding $9.2 billion. Mexico was the second largest market for U.S. soybeans with purchases exceeding $1.3 billion. Other significant buyers included Japan with purchases of $1.1 billion and the European Union with purchases of $770 million. 

Mexico was the largest customer for U.S. soybean meal at $529 million, Canada was second with purchases of $434 million, and the Philippines was third with purchases of $317 million. Mexico was also the largest customer for U.S. soybean oil with purchases of $163 million, and Morocco was second with purchases of $133 million.

Domestically, soybeans provided 69 percent of the edible consumption of fats and oils in the United States. The domestic crush level was 1,662 million bushels (45.24 million metric tons), with U.S. ending stocks of soybeans at 138 million bushels (3.76 million metric tons).