Soybean acreage in Europe will remain at historically high levels this year

EU countries will slightly reduce soybean acreage in 2025 (about -5%), however, they remain at a historically high level after last year’s record.

This was reported by the press service of the Danube Soya Association.

“The soybean industry in the EU continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles of sustainability and regional origin,” said Volodymyr Pugachev, Executive Director of the Danube Soya Association.

Ukraine, as a key supplier of regional soybeans in Europe, has the potential for a record harvest this year, the Association emphasizes. Thus, Danube Soya analysts predict soybean acreage in Ukraine at 2.3 – 2.5 million hectares (2.6 million hectares in 2024), but a higher gross harvest (+2% compared to last year).

The Association emphasizes that domestic soybean producers and processors need to take into account the following factors affecting the industry in the current season:

increased interest in non-GM soybeans grown in compliance with EU approaches;

growing demand from the food industry for the production of plant-based animal protein substitutes;

administrative requirements for the implementation of EU Regulation 2023/1115 on combating deforestation, such as traceability, confirmation of deforestation of areas after 2020 and the legality of soybean cultivation.

Limiting factors for soybean production this year in European countries may be the shortage of productive spring moisture and the availability of high-quality seed due to dry conditions in many countries last year.

Tags: soybean, Ukraine, EU