Building Demand for ND Soybeans

With an uncertain trade situation between the U.S. and China, soybean farmers are trying to identify new export options. North Dakota Soybean Growers Association Vice President Ryan Pederson also sees opportunities to grow domestic demand. “There’s a big opportunity for North Dakota with renewable diesel fuel,” said Pederson. “The plant that is proposed could take 3.5 million acres worth of soybean oil in the state; give or take, that’s half of our demand. If you can get an outlet for that much oil, it really incentivizes other products, such as soybean meal.” The proposal would convert a crude oil refinery at Dickinson to produce renewable diesel fuel. That facility would process locally-produced soybean oil, shipping the renewable diesel to California.