Soybeans have numerous food, feed, industrial, energy and textile uses. They are easy to transport, store, and process – and therefore easy to trade on global markets. The production of soybeans occupy 6 percent of the world's arable land, and land use for soybeans is increasing at around 5 percent per year. Each year over 75 million acres of soybeans are grown in the U.S.

ADM is one of the world's largest processors of soybeans, and a leader in the production of soy meal.

ADM's soybean crushing (processing) capacity in the U.S. has shrunk in recent years, as production has shifted to China. ("ADM shifts soybean capacity to China," Food Production Daily, 12/17/02 )

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The fastest growing area of soy production is in South America – especially Brazil and Argentina. In 2003, Brazil produced soybeans on 18.4 million acres. Soybean production was expected to double before stabilizing, with heavy growth expected in the Cerrado region. ADM is the third largest producer in Brazil (7 percent) behind Bunge (18 percent) and Cargill (11 percent).

This rapid expansion of soybean production in response to the world's demand for food and energy is causing dramatic shifts in land use in Brazil as native savannahs, dryland forests, and even certain rain forest sub-regions undergo soybean cultivation. The spread of Asian Soybean Rust (a fungus) has resulted in the spraying of millions of hectares with fungicides. As soybean production has spread from the Southern region near ports and consumption regions, it has added to pressure on land uses in the interior.

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In 2006 ADM announced plans to build and open a biodiesel production facility in Mato Grosso, Brazil, with an annual capacity of 54 million gallons by mid-2007. The plant, located next to the company's soybean crushing plant in Rondonopolis, would use soybean oil as its feedstock and provide biodiesel to regional customers. Construction was delayed owing in part to permit problems over environmental concerns.  Today, according to ADM's website, its biodiesel plant in Rondonopolis, Mato Grosso, uses soybean oil as its feedstock and is positioned to meet demand from soybean farmers as well as the Brazilian road and rail transport industries.

Greenpeace International reported in 2006 that "by building soy silos and terminals at the rainforest edge, funding the paving of illegal roads, and buying soy from illegally cleared and operated farms, including farms with a documented record of slave labor, Cargill, ADM and Bunge are both spurring and profiting from the soy plunder of the Amazon." Together, the three countries have constructed 23 silos, storage facilities, ports and transfer terminals in and around the Amazon frontier, the group reported, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all such facilities in the region. ("Eating Up the Amazon," Greenpeace, April 6, 2006. Available at: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/assets/binaries/eating-up-the-amazon-executiv)

 
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Concerns about Trans Fats and Genetic Engineering

Health awareness and the push for trans fat labeling requirements led ADM to introduce its line of NovaLipid zero/low trans fat soybean oils in 2005. The company uses a process known as "enzymatic interesterification" to convert soybeans into oil low in trans fats. The oils are used in shortenings and margarines used in baking, confectionary, snack, and cereal markets, including various Fritolay brands. ("ADM innovations tap health and regulation concerns," Bakery and Snacks.com, 7/22/05)

Increased consumer demand for whole grain foods and increased dietary fiber content led ADM to introduce its new Kansas Diamond white whole-wheat flour, which contains Fibersol-2 digestion-resistant maltodextrin - an ingredient that increases food fiber content. ("ADM innovations tap health and regulation concerns," Bakery and Snacks.com, 7/22/05)

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Concerns about trans fats have led ADM to promote the use of GMO soybeans created by Monsanto, including the company's Vistive low-linolenic soybeans, which it claims reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids in soybean oil. Monsanto introduced the new strain of GMO beans in 2004.

Food manufacturers that use the Vistive-derived oil include cereal giant Kellogg, the first manufacturer to announce their use. ("ADM teams up with Monsanto for low trans fat soy oil," Food Navigator-USA.com, 1/13/06 )

Because of concerns about GMO foods (especially in Europe), ADM's policy is to process both GMO and GMO-free soybeans for growers. The company tests for and procures non-GM soybeans upon its customers' request. ("GMO Status of ADM Lecithin Products," ADM Technical Services, March 2009)