Rising to a series high
South America Soybean Production per Capita moved from 445.8 Kilogram in 2015 to 507.2 Kilogram in 2024 (+13.8%), an average of +1.4% a year. The series high was 507.2 Kilogram in 2024 and the low 427.4 Kilogram in 2018.
What South America Soybean Production per Capita shows
South America Soybean Production per Capita was 507.2 Kilogram in 2024, up 8.9% on 2023. South America’s soybean production per capita between 2015 and 2024 demonstrates a moderately increasing but fluctuating agricultural trend, reflecting changes in soybean cultivation, crop productivity, weather conditions, and regional agricultural resource availability.
A 15.7% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2018) is 79.83 Kilogram. The sharpest single-year move was −10.6% in 2022.
Argentina leads the region
Within South America, Argentina has the highest value in 2024 at 1,055 Kilogram.
Country ranking
Soybean Production per Capita by country, 2024
Kilogram. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Soybean Production per Capita by region
Kilogram, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
South America Soybean Production per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Kilogram.
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| Year | Kilogram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Peak | 507.2 | +8.9% |
| 2023 | 465.6 | +7.9% |
| 2022 | 431.4 | −10.6% |
| 2021 | 482.5 | +4.9% |
| 2020 | 459.9 | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 456.5 | +6.8% |
| 2018 Trough | 427.4 | −8.8% |
| 2017 | 468.5 | +8.7% |
| 2016 | 431.1 | −3.3% |
| 2015 | 445.8 | — |
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 a key agricultural commodity in South America, supporting food processing, livestock feed production, vegetable oil industries, biofuel applications, and international agricultural trade. Based on the available data, soybean production per capita increased from 445.83 kilograms in 2015 to 507.21 kilograms in 2024, indicating overall growth despite variations during the period.
During the initial years, soybean production per capita showed fluctuations, declining from 445.83 kilograms in 2015 to 431.11 kilograms in 2016 before increasing to 468.47 kilograms in 2017. Production declined again in 2018 to 427.38 kilograms, the lowest level recorded during the period, which may have been influenced by weather conditions, crop performance, and changes in agricultural production patterns. A recovery followed between 2019 and 2021, with production increasing to 482.46 kilograms in 2021, supported by improved cultivation conditions and stronger soybean output.
Production moderated in 2022, declining to 431.37 kilograms, before recovering to 465.58 kilograms in 2023 and reaching 507.21 kilograms in 2024, the highest level recorded during the period. This growth highlights the continued expansion and importance of soybean production across major producing countries in the region.
Overall, the dataset highlights South America’s significant role in global soybean production and its strong agricultural capacity. It is valuable for analysing production trends, monitoring per capita output changes, assessing regional agricultural performance, forecasting future supply potential, and evaluating the impact of climate variability, productivity improvements, and market developments on the soybean sector.
- Indicator
- Soybean Production per Capita
- Region
- South America
- 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 South America 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 South America Soybean Production per Capita in 2024?
South America Soybean Production per Capita was 507.2 Kilogram in 2024, up 8.9% on 2023.
How has South America Soybean Production per Capita changed between 2015 and 2024?
South America Soybean Production per Capita moved from 445.8 Kilogram in 2015 to 507.2 Kilogram in 2024 (+13.8%), an average of +1.4% a year. The series high was 507.2 Kilogram in 2024 and the low 427.4 Kilogram in 2018.
Which year had the highest and lowest South America Soybean Production per Capita?
The highest value was 507.2 Kilogram in 2024 and the lowest was 427.4 Kilogram in 2018.
What does the South America 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 South America 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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