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. 

Soybeans were planted on 75 million acres (30.3 million hectares) in 2011, producing 3.056 billion bushels (83.18 million metric tons) of soybeans. The average price paid to farmers was $11.70 per bushel ($430 per metric ton). The total 2011 crop value exceeded $35.7 billion. 

In 2011, soybeans represented 56 percent of world oilseed production, and 33 percent of those soybeans were produced in the United States. The United States exported 1.275 billion bushels (34.7 million metric tons) of soybeans, which accounted for 37 percent of the world's soybean trade. 

U.S. soybean and soy product exports exceeded $21.5 billion in 2011. China was the largest customer for U.S. soybeans with purchases exceeding $10.4 billion. Mexico was the second largest market for U.S. soybeans with purchases of nearly $1.6 billion. Other significant buyers included Japan with purchases of $954 million and Indonesia with purchases of $859 million. 

Canada was the largest customer for U.S. soybean meal at $375 million, Mexico was second with $369 million, followed by Venezuela at $260 million. Morocco was the largest customer for U.S. soybean oil with purchases of $336 million, Mexico was second with purchases of $194 million, and China was third at $129 million. 

Domestically, soybeans provided 66 percent of the edible consumption of fats and oils in the United States. The domestic crush level was 1,615 million bushels (43.96 million metric tons), with U.S. ending stocks of soybeans at 275 million bushels (7.49 million metric tons).