Discover the 10 U.S. States That Grow the Most Soybeans

Soybeans rank only behind corn as the most significant agricultural crop in the United States. America is one of the world’s leading producers of soybeans along with countries like Brazil and Argentina. This is largely due to the fertile farmland and favorable climate conditions in the upper Midwest, which supplies more than 80% of America’s national soybean harvest. Read on to discover the 10 U.S. states that grow the most soybeans and how much they produce annually.

1. Illinois

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 677.2
• Other major crops: Corn, wheat, hay, pumpkins, sweet corn, beans, oats

Except for 2015, Illinois has consistently ranked as the top U.S. producer of soybeans since 2013. In 2022, it planted 10.8 million acres of soybeans and harvested 10.75 million acres, yielding 63 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$9.75 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on Illinois’ agricultural production.

2. Iowa

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 586.8
• Other major crops: Corn, hay, oats

Iowa is by far the second most prolific producer of soybeans in the United States. Except 2003, Iowa was the top U.S. soybean producer from 2000 to 2012. In 2022, it planted 10.1 million acres of soybeans and harvested 10.03 million acres, yielding 58.5 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$8.39 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on Iowa’s agricultural production.

3. Minnesota

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 369.5
• Other major crops: Corn, wheat, hay, potatoes, sweet corn, canola, sunflower, oats, peas, barley, rye, beans

With the exceptions of 2001, 2004, and 2014, Minnesota has ranked as the third-highest producer of soybeans in the United States since 2000. In 2022, it planted 7.45 million acres of soybeans and harvested 7.39 million acres, yielding 50 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$5.25 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on Minnesota’s agricultural production.

4. Indiana

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 335.2
• Other major crops: Corn, hay, wheat, melons, pumpkins

Since 2000, Indiana has primarily ranked as the fourth-largest producer of soybeans in the U.S., occasionally ranking third or fifth. In 2022, it planted 5.85 million acres of soybeans and harvested 5.83 million acres, yielding 57.5 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$4.86 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on Indiana’s agricultural production.

5. Ohio

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 281.9
• Other major crops: Corn, hay, wheat, pumpkins, oats

As of 2022, Ohio has occasionally ranked as the fifth-largest producer of soybeans in the United States, but it has more typically ranked sixth or seventh. In 2022, it planted 5.1 million acres of soybeans and harvested 5.08 million acres, yielding 55.5 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$4.06 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on Ohio’s agricultural production.

6. Nebraska

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 278.3
• Other major crops: Corn, hay, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, millet, sunflower, oats, haylage, sugarbeets, peas

Nebraska’s soybean production dropped slightly in 2022 from previous years. Typically, it has ranked fourth or fifth among the United States’ top soybean producers since 2008, although before that it occasionally dropped to sixth or even seventh place. In 2022, it planted 5.75 million acres of soybeans and harvested 5.68 million acres, yielding 49 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$3.98 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on Nebraska’s agricultural production.

7. Missouri

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 275.7
• Other major crops: Corn, hay, cotton, wheat, rice, oats, haylage

Currently sitting in seventh place, Missouri has mostly ranked as the sixth or seventh most prolific producer of soybeans in the United States since 2000. In 2022, it planted 6.1 million acres of soybeans and harvested 6.06 million acres, yielding 45.5 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$3.97 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on Missouri’s agricultural production.

8. North Dakota

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 198.4
• Other major crops: Wheat, corn, canola, hay, sunflower, barley, potatoes, peas, oats, flaxseed, lentils, rye, sugarbeets, chickpeas

Although North Dakota currently sits in eighth place, it has typically ranked lower in terms of annual soybean production in the United States. It would not have made this list for several years since 2000. In 2022, it planted 5.7 million acres of soybeans and harvested 5.67 million acres, yielding 35 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$2.78 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on North Dakota’s agricultural production.

9. South Dakota

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 192.7
• Other major crops: Corn, hay, wheat, sunflower, sorghum, oats, millet, safflower, barley, haylage, peas

Close behind its neighbor North Dakota is South Dakota, trailing by only 5.7 million bushels. The two states have typically sat near one another in the rankings, often trading places since 2000. In 2022, South Dakota planted 5.1 million acres of soybeans and harvested 5.07 million acres, yielding 38 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$2.76 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on South Dakota’s agricultural production.

10. Arkansas

• Annual 2022 production (in millions of bushels): 163.8
• Other major crops: Rice, corn, cotton, hay, wheat, peanuts, oats

Since 2000, Arkansas has ranked as the ninth, tenth, or eleventh most prolific soybean producer in the United States. Currently, it holds a tenth place. In 2022, it planted 3.18 million acres of soybeans and harvested 3.15 million acres, yielding 52 bushels per acre. The total value of its soybean production was US$2.36 billion. See the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on Arkansas’ agricultural production.

Summary Table of the U.S. States That Grow the Most Soybeans (2022)

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