Soybeans are booming, but is policy keeping up?

South Africa has seen a surge in soybean production, driven by private investment in crushing facilities and processing innovation. The recent surge in private investment is a case in point. New facilities have demonstrated the capacity to process tens of thousands of tonnes in a matter of months, redefining what’s possible when expertise meets capital. In addition, the commercial arms of these new ventures are helping ensure this growth reaches beyond the factory floor, connecting locally processed soybean commodities to markets across the continent.

But here’s the question: How much of this momentum is supported by the government, and is it enough?

Soybeans can address multiple national priorities: food security, job creation, climate resilience, and value chain development. But without a clear, long-term strategy for input subsidies, transport infrastructure, and research, we risk plateauing before real transformation takes hold.

Are we fully tapping into soybeans’ potential to strengthen national food security? Could soy offer more than just nutrition, serving as a local and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels?

And finally, if the future of food is plant-based and protein-rich, are we treating soybeans as a strategic crop or just a commodity with potential?