Soybeans are undoubtedly one of the pillars of Brazilian agribusiness. Their production drives the economy, generates jobs, and places Brazil among the world’s top exporters. However, when it comes to real profitability for the farmer, a crucial question arises: Is it better to sell raw soybeans or invest in value-added processing right on the farm?
In this article, we’ll explore this question and show why transforming soybeans into high-value products can represent a major leap in profitability, efficiency, and independence for your operation.
The Traditional Cycle: Selling Soybeans and Relying 100% on the Market
Historically, soybean commercialization has followed a straightforward model: plant, harvest, and sell the raw grain to cooperatives, traders, or major agro-industries. While this is a common practice, it leaves the farmer vulnerable to external market forces.
Selling raw soybeans means:
- Accepting prices set by global commodity exchanges
- Facing discounts for moisture, impurities, and logistics
- Paying freight and storage costs
- Depending on middlemen to move your product
In short, profit margins are thin, and control over the process is minimal. In this model, the biggest profits go to those who buy your soybeans and process them.
What Does It Mean to Add Value to Soybeans?
Adding value means transforming raw soybeans into processed byproducts—such as extruded soybean meal and crude vegetable oil—directly on your farm. These products are in high demand for animal nutrition and have greater commercial value.
With equipment like ZAAMP extruders, producers can perform this processing automatically, without chemical additives, and with full quality control.
The main benefits of value-added processing include:
✔ Higher revenue per sack compared to selling raw grain
✔ On-farm production of highly digestible feed, reducing input costs
✔ Generation of soybean oil for internal use or resale
✔ Greater autonomy and less dependence on large industries
✔ Improved logistics efficiency and reduced environmental impact
Profitability Gap: How Much More Can You Earn?
Selling soybeans in raw form means your earnings per sack are reduced by freight, market discounts, royalties, and price volatility. But by processing soybeans with a ZAAMP extruder, you convert that same grain into two high-value byproducts: extruded soybean meal and crude vegetable oil—both with direct use on the farm and high resale potential.
This difference translates into real profit margin increases and a faster return on equipment investment. And with models like the Zaampinha, Z1500, Z3000, and ZOE, there are solutions for every farm size, enabling scalability and sustainable growth.
Producing Soy-Based Feed On-Farm: A Competitive Advantage
Adding value to soybeans also gives you control over your herd’s nutrition. Extruded soybean meal is highly digestible and directly impacts animal performance, whether you raise beef or dairy cattle, swine, or poultry.
This leads to measurable improvements in zootechnical indicators and, ultimately, greater profitability in livestock operations. Producers who control their input chain are less exposed to market risks and better positioned for sustainable growth.
Sustainability and Efficiency in Soybean Use
Processing soybeans on-farm contributes to a more sustainable agricultural model:
- Reduces transportation volume on roads
- Minimizes waste through full grain utilization
- Cuts packaging and emissions linked to logistics
- Strengthens the local economy with value-added products
This virtuous cycle supports a more responsible, profitable, and future-ready agribusiness.
Final Thoughts: Adding Value to Soybeans Means More Profit, Control, and Future
The choice between selling raw soybeans or processing them on your farm is, ultimately, a strategic decision about who keeps the bigger share of the profit. The answer is simple: those who add value earn more.
ZAAMP stands with producers ready to take this next step toward autonomy and efficiency. With robust technology, tailored support, and scalable solutions, we help you turn soybeans into greater returns and less dependence.
Want to know which extruder is right for your farm?
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ZAAMP – Your Soybeans with More Value, More Profit, and More Future.
