North Dakota Expands Soybean Processing Amid Low Yields
North Dakota is increasing domestic soybean processing infrastructure to offset trade tensions and low crop yields driven by extreme drought.
Soybean plantings in North Dakota have more than tripled since 2000, fueled by historical Chinese demand and a growing domestic biofuel market. Despite the increase in acreage, yields have remained flat at roughly 35 bushels per acre, trailing the national average of 53. The United States Department of Agriculture projects a five-year low of 30 bushels per acre for the current season, attributed to extreme droughts and a warming trend that has seen temperatures rise more than 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900.
To mitigate these challenges and reduce reliance on Chinese trade, North Dakota has expanded its domestic infrastructure. The state recently opened two major processing plants, Green Bison and North Dakota Soybean Processors, which together can process nearly half of the projected 2026 harvest. These facilities focus on producing biodiesel and other bioproducts to meet rising internal demand.
Simultaneously, researchers at North Dakota State University are developing new soybean varieties designed to thrive in the state's short and dry growing seasons. This effort aims to close the yield gap and stabilize production against volatile environmental conditions.
