Soybeans have many applications and they have become a crucial raw material for many businesses. Soy products are used not just in the food industry but also by pharma companies, textile producers, and even for the production of biodiesel. That’s why it is no wonder that the demand for soybeans is increasing every year. Business owners understand the importance of this commodity and often purchase it in large quantities from soybeans wholesale distributors. That way, they benefit from lower wholesale prices and can rely on suppliers to handle the logistics, shipping, and handling. In this article, we’ll share details about the various applications of soybeans and soy-related products and what businesses purchase them. This blog is part of our series on legume products. Other articles you might find useful include the ones on wholesale carob and bulk beans.
Applications of Soybeans
One of the reasons the demand for soy products has increased a lot is that soybeans have multiple uses. Even though they are most commonly associated with food, various businesses find suppliers of soybeans and purchase them in bulk. Let’s dive a little deeper into the main uses of soybeans.
Food Products
Multiple ingredients are made from soybeans. The most common ones are soy milk and sauce. In recent years, soy products have become extremely popular among vegans as they can be an excellent source of protein and a meat substitute. Roasted soybeans are also a common snack and are used in packaged nuts mixes. Edamame is another popular soybean product associated with Japanese cuisine. It’s the green unripened pods of soybeans that can be cooked in multiple ways.
Oils
Besides being a great ingredient for plant-based milk, soy products are used for the production of vegetable cooking oils. Their distinctive taste can add additional flavor and richness to dishes.
Animal Feed Manufacturing
Being rich in proteins and other nutrients, soybeans are commonly used to prepare poultry and livestock feed. Other businesses that purchase soybeans wholesale include manufacturers of pet food.
Biofuel Production
According to research from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), one bushel of soybeans can yield 1.5 gallons of biodiesel. With the increasing effects of climate change, biofuels are expected to become an increasingly popular alternative to fossil fuels.
Other Industries
Soybeans can be used for various additional purposes like the production of bioplastic or coatings. Here are some additional applications of soybeans:
- Production of fabrics from soy fibers;
- Production of personal care products due to the antioxidant properties of soybeans;
- Manufacturing of dietary and protein supplements;
- Production of environmentally friendly printing ink.
Key takeaway: Soybeans have many applications. That’s why various businesses purchase soybeans wholesale. They are extensively used in animal feed manufacturing. Other companies that buy a lot of bulk soybeans include restaurants and food producers.
Businesses That Purchase Wholesale Soybeans
Small companies that use soybeans as an ingredient might not opt to purchase them in bulk. However, large businesses like food manufacturers or those from the food and beverage industry purchase tons of soybeans wholesale. Allow us to share more about the main clients of soybeans suppliers.
Food Manufacturers
A variety of products are made with soybeans as a main ingredient. As they are a great source of protein, they are used by producers of meat substitutes and soy protein bars. Other popular foods made from soybeans include soy milk and tofu.
Animal Feed Manufacturers
When mixed with different types of grains, soybeans become an excellent food for pets and livestock. As producers of these products usually require large quantities of raw materials, they will often buy them from producers or farms directly.
Food Service Establishment
Restaurants and other businesses that serve food partner with suppliers to fill up their pantries with grains and legumes. They purchase not only soybeans wholesale but also other products like meat and seafood. Soy products are important for restaurants as they are used for various vegan dishes.
Dairy Farms and Manufacturers
Dairy farms can use soybeans in two main ways. It can be a nutritious animal feed and provides protein-rich supplements for cows. Another application is for dairy farms that wish to produce plant-based milk as well. They can invest in equipment for the production of the most common types of plant-based dairy products.
Retailers
Supermarkets and other retailers often sell bulk products that are not packaged. This reduces the ecological footprint. That’s why they might purchase legumes like peas, soybeans, and chickpeas wholesale and shelve them in food dispensers.
Bakery Businesses
Soy flour and soya powder are popular ingredients for various baked goods. They improve the handling of the dough and give pastries better volume and softness.
Other Manufacturers
As we mentioned earlier, soybeans have dozens of applications. Research and development departments of many large brands and institutions are discovering new uses for them as well. That’s why there are other manufacturing businesses that purchase soybeans wholesale. Here are a few examples.
- Soybean oil producers;
- Biofuel producers;
- Cosmetics manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies;
Frequently Asked Questions about Soybeans Wholesale
In recent years, scientists and businesses have discovered many applications for soybeans. That has made them an important raw material for economies around the world. Even though they are part of our daily lives, business owners might have a lot of questions related to soybeans. Below we have answered some of the common ones.
Which Countries Produce the Most Soybeans?
Even though soybeans are native to Asia, the largest producers in the world are South American countries and the US. According to statistics, Brazil is the leading producer of soybeans and the United States is the second largest producer. Other countries that produce significant amounts of this legume include Argentina, China, and India.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Purchasing Soybeans Wholesale?
The main advantage of buying soybeans wholesale is the lower price when purchasing in bulk. This helps achieve a lower cost of goods sold and maximize profits. Another benefit of partnering with soybean wholesale distributors is convenience. These companies usually can offer a variety of additional products. That way, you don’t need to communicate with multiple farmers and manufacturers.
One negative aspect of working with suppliers is that most distributors have minimum quantity orders. This means it can be a big investment for some businesses to purchase products from wholesalers. Furthermore, storing legumes in restaurants can be challenging as they have specific storage requirements.
What Are Other Popular Legumes?
Legumes are an important source of protein. That makes them popular all around the world. suppliers of wholesale grains and legumes offer a variety of options to their customers. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Beans. There is a wide variety of bean options on the market. Black, navy, and kidney beans are among the most common ones offered by wholesale beans suppliers.
- Peas. Both wholesale pea beans and unripened pods play an important role in the food manufacturing and restaurant industries.
- Lentils. They come in multiple colors and are used in various stew and soup recipes. Therefore, it’s no surprise that food service establishments purchase lentils wholesale.
- Other legumes. Suppliers of these products have a large variety in their catalogs. Other legumes that are purchased in large quantities by businesses include wholesale lupini beans, carob, chickpeas, and peanuts.