Higher over the period
Africa Soybean Production per Capita moved from 2.78 Kilogram in 2015 to 4.63 Kilogram in 2024 (+66.7%), an average of +5.8% a year. The series high was 6.14 Kilogram in 2023 and the low 2.78 Kilogram in 2015.
What Africa Soybean Production per Capita shows
Africa Soybean Production per Capita was 4.63 Kilogram in 2024, down 24.6% on 2023. Africa’s soybean production per capita between 2015 and 2024 demonstrates a steadily increasing but fluctuating agricultural trend, reflecting changes in soybean cultivation, crop productivity, weather conditions, and regional agricultural development.
A 54.8% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 3.37 Kilogram. The sharpest single-year move was +28.3% in 2017.
South Africa leads the region
Within Africa, South Africa has the highest value in 2024 at 28.87 Kilogram.
Country ranking
Soybean Production per Capita by country, 2024
Kilogram. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Kilogram↕ | vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 28.87 | −34.1% | |
| 2 | Nigeria | 4.94 | −24.9% | |
| 3 | Egypt | 0.644 | −60.8% |
By region
Soybean Production per Capita by region
Kilogram, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Africa Soybean Production per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Kilogram.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Kilogram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4.63 | −24.6% |
| 2023Peak | 6.14 | +15.5% |
| 2022 | 5.32 | +12.3% |
| 2021 | 4.74 | +15.9% |
| 2020 | 4.09 | +11.2% |
| 2019 | 3.68 | −9% |
| 2018 | 4.04 | +10.8% |
| 2017 | 3.65 | +28.3% |
| 2016 | 2.84 | +2.4% |
| 2015 Trough | 2.78 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Soybean Production per Capita — - Soybean production per capita refers to the annual production of soybeans divided by the total population of a country or region, measured in grams or kilograms per person. The indicator represents the average amount of soybean produced per individual based on domestic agricultural output during a selected year. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country and regional time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period. The dataset combines agricultural production statistics with population data to calculate per capita soybean production levels.
The data includes the total agricultural production of soybeans, converted into per capita values by dividing production quantities by the corresponding population figures. It covers soybean output from crop cultivation activities used for food products, animal feed, vegetable oil production, biofuel applications, and industrial purposes. The indicator includes annual production trends across countries and regions, allowing analysis of changes in soybean production capacity, agricultural productivity, and output relative to population size. The dataset supports comparisons of soybean production performance, regional agricultural development, and long-term production trends.
The data excludes soybean imports, exports, consumption, processing volumes, storage levels, and trade-related activities. It does not measure actual soybean availability, dietary consumption, nutritional intake, or domestic market supply. The indicator does not account for differences in farming methods, production costs, land efficiency, or dependence on international soybean trade. It also does not represent food security conditions, as it only measures domestic soybean production relative to population size. Variations may occur due to differences in agricultural reporting methods, estimation procedures, production measurement standards, and data availability across countries and regions.
About this indicator
Soybean Production per Capita — - Soybean production per capita refers to the annual production of soybeans divided by the total population of a country or region, measured in grams or kilograms per person. The indicator represents the average amount of soybean produced per individual based on domestic agricultural output during a selected year. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country and regional time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period. The dataset combines agricultural production statistics with population data to calculate per capita soybean production levels.
Soybeans are an important crop in Africa, supporting food processing, livestock feed production, vegetable oil industries, and efforts to strengthen domestic agricultural output. Based on the available data, soybean production per capita increased from 2,777.78 grams in 2015 to 4,630.86 grams in 2024, indicating significant long-term growth despite variations during the period.
During the initial years, soybean production per capita showed gradual improvement, increasing from 2,777.78 grams in 2015 to 3,648.54 grams in 2017. Production continued to rise in 2018, reaching 4,041.08 grams, supported by expansion in soybean cultivation, increased agricultural activities, and rising demand for soybean-based products. However, production declined slightly in 2019 to 3,677.48 grams before recovering to 4,087.68 grams in 2020, reflecting changes in crop performance and regional production conditions.
A stronger growth phase occurred after 2020, with soybean production per capita increasing to 4,736.91 grams in 2021 and further rising to 5,320.41 grams in 2022. Production reached the highest level of the period in 2023 at 6,143.41 grams, indicating improved production capacity and stronger soybean output across the region. However, production moderated to 4,630.86 grams in 2024, although it remained substantially above the 2015 level.
The overall trend highlights Africa’s growing soybean production potential, supported by increased cultivation, improvements in farming practices, and rising demand for agricultural commodities. Differences among countries reflect variations in land availability, climate conditions, production systems, and agricultural investment levels.
Overall, the dataset highlights the expanding role of soybean production in Africa and provides valuable insights for analysing agricultural performance, monitoring per capita production trends, assessing regional production capacity, forecasting future supply potential, and evaluating the influence of climate variability, productivity improvements, and market developments on the soybean sector.
- Indicator
- Soybean Production per Capita
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Kilogram
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is Africa Soybean Production per Capita?
Definition- Soybean production per capita refers to the annual production of soybeans divided by the total population of a country or region, measured in grams or kilograms per person. The indicator represents the average amount of soybean produced per individual based on domestic agricultural output during a selected year. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country and regional time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period. The dataset combines agricultural production statistics with population data to calculate per capita soybean production levels.
What was Africa Soybean Production per Capita in 2024?
Africa Soybean Production per Capita was 4.63 Kilogram in 2024, down 24.6% on 2023.
How has Africa Soybean Production per Capita changed between 2015 and 2024?
Africa Soybean Production per Capita moved from 2.78 Kilogram in 2015 to 4.63 Kilogram in 2024 (+66.7%), an average of +5.8% a year. The series high was 6.14 Kilogram in 2023 and the low 2.78 Kilogram in 2015.
Which year had the highest and lowest Africa Soybean Production per Capita?
The highest value was 6.14 Kilogram in 2023 and the lowest was 2.78 Kilogram in 2015.
What does the Africa Soybean Production per Capita data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the total agricultural production of soybeans, converted into per capita values by dividing production quantities by the corresponding population figures. It covers soybean output from crop cultivation activities used for food products, animal feed, vegetable oil production, biofuel applications, and industrial purposes. The indicator includes annual production trends across countries and regions, allowing analysis of changes in soybean production capacity, agricultural productivity, and output relative to population size. The dataset supports comparisons of soybean production performance, regional agricultural development, and long-term production trends. Excluded: The data excludes soybean imports, exports, consumption, processing volumes, storage levels, and trade-related activities. It does not measure actual soybean availability, dietary consumption, nutritional intake, or domestic market supply. The indicator does not account for differences in farming methods, production costs, land efficiency, or dependence on international soybean trade. It also does not represent food security conditions, as it only measures domestic soybean production relative to population size. Variations may occur due to differences in agricultural reporting methods, estimation procedures, production measurement standards, and data availability across countries and regions.
Where does the Africa Soybean Production per Capita data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&time=2015..2024&Food=Soybeans&Metric=Production&Per+capita=true&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Kilogram.
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