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
According to the new report, seven out of ten rural bankers support President Trump’s recent trade steps with China, expressing cautious optimism about future export potential.
China’s crusher losses and Brazil tensions, Gale warns, could reopen critical soybean trade channels for U.S. producers.
The WASDE/Crop Production combo will be the first full read on supply, demand, and yield that could move basis and hedging plans since the government shutdown more than a month ago.
A rescheduled WASDE, China’s soybean squeeze, barge bottlenecks, and premium beef demand all collide this week — with cash decisions, basis, and risk plans on the line.
China’s grain expansion model may be hitting its limit. Lower prices, high rents, and policy fatigue threaten future output — with ripple effects across global feed and oilseed markets.
High milk production and soft retail demand are squeezing prices and margins — making careful feed and risk management essential through year-end.

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:

Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) interval selection—not just participation—drives protection levels as rainfall patterns become less predictable across the South.
If the House concurs and the President signs, USDA services and farm-bill programs resume at full speed with authorities extended for another year.
A smaller U.S. turkey flock and resurgent avian flu have tightened supplies, driving prices higher even as other key holiday foods show mixed trends.
ARC/PLC, marketing loans, and crop insurance each matter at different points in the price cycle — and the new Farm Bill strengthens the balance among them.
Here is a regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture for the week of Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.
The DOJ’s new antitrust probe could reshape beef-packer behavior, with potential impacts on fed-cattle prices, processor margins, and long-term competition across the supply chain.