ABSTRACT
Soybeans is one of the fastest growing items in world trade. World trade in soybeans expanded at an average rate of 11 percent per annum. World trade in soybeans and soybean products totaled 35.6 million metric tons during 1977/1978. Protein and oil are the primary products of the soybean processing industry. Historically, the protein product has represented the major portion of the value of the seed although the unit value of the oil is greater. Seed quality which is both genetically and environmentally controlled is the major determinant of product yield and product quality. Soybean proteins play an important, although indirect, role in the US diet because soybean meal is a major source of the protein in feed that is converted into animal proteins such as meat, milk and eggs. However, as prices continue to rise, the animal is being by-passed and soybean proteins are used directly to extend or replace traditional animal proteins.
