March Soybean Crush Climbs As Oil Output Rises

March crush data showed stronger soybean and canola processing, but softer animal fat production.

Bottles of oil on counter in shop, Pattern of vegetable oil bottles at factory warehouse store or supermarket_photo by sirirat via AdobeStock_821696498.jpg

Photo by sirirat via Adobe Stock

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. soybean crush increased in March as processors turned more beans into crude and refined oil. USDA said soybean crush reached 227 million bushels, up from 214 million in February and 207 million a year earlier.

That pushed oil production higher as well. Crude soybean oil output reached 2.64 billion pounds in March, up 6 percent from February and 7 percent from March 2025. Once refined soybean oil production totaled 2.00 billion pounds, up 14 percent from the previous month.

Canola processing has also strengthened. Canola crush reached 225,183 tons in March, above both February and a year earlier. Crude canola oil production rose 18 percent from February, while once refined, canola oil output increased 24 percent month to month.

Not every fat and oil category moved higher. Cottonseed refined oil fell 6 percent from February and 28 percent from a year earlier. Edible, inedible, and technical tallow production also declined sharply from the previous month.

The monthly report points to stronger oilseed processing in soybeans and canola, while animal fat output remained weaker.

Farm-Level Takeaway: March crush data showed stronger soybean and canola processing, but softer animal fat production.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist

Related Stories
Livestock Conservancy Senior Program Manager Jeannette Beranger explains the upcoming poultry census and ongoing efforts to preserve rare and heritage poultry breeds raised across the U.S.
In the U.S. and Canada, reduced planted acres—not yield losses—led to a decline in potato production, while Mexico saw modest gains due to increased yields and harvested areas.
Corn demand remains supportive, but weaker soybean buying limits overall export momentum.
Farm numbers still favor small operations, but production, resilience, and risk management are increasingly concentrated among fewer, larger farms.
China’s reliance on imported soybeans remains entrenched, shaping global demand and trade leverage.
Tight cattle supplies favor poultry and pork while keeping beef margins under pressure.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Rail consolidation could affect grain basis, freight rates, and service reliability across major producing regions.
For communities that depend on agriculture as their primary economic engine, the recession is not defined by headlines on Wall Street. It is defined by the quiet disappearance of the businesses that once processed, serviced, and supported the crop.
Alan Bjerga of the National Milk Producers Federation discusses the Dairy Margin Coverage program, recent improvements, and what producers need to know ahead of this week’s enrollment deadline.
Higher output keeps milk supplies ample, reinforcing expectations for softer dairy prices even as feed costs remain favorable.
Cash flow management and lender communication are becoming critical survival tools for farmers as tightening margins increase risk and borrowing pressure.
Expanded global trade access boosts long-term export demand potential for U.S. ag products.