USDA: SOYBEAN PLANTED AREA IS PROJECTED TO SURPASS CORN FOR THE FIRST TIME
Feb. 27, 2018
Source: USDA news release
The two crops are the most widely produced in the United States, accounting for more than half of all acres planted.
There are many reasons for the growth in soybean area relative to corn.
Corn production has benefited from sustained growth in yield per acre, allowing farmers to dedicate less land to corn while maintaining the same output.
While soybean yields also improved, the relative gains are not as large.
As corn yields grow, overall area planted to corn is projected to trend lower.
Additionally, soybean demand is heavily tied to domestic and international demand for meat.
Soybean meal is a primary component of animal feeds across species.
Rising incomes in many emerging economies have translated to increased meat consumption and international demand for soybeans.
This rising demand is expected to place upward pressure on soybean prices and increase producer return, incentivizing further plantings.
This chart is drawn from data in the USDA report, USDA Agricultural Projections to 2027, released in February 2018.
"""Soybean inatarajiwa kuzidi mahindi kwa mara ya kwanza,"" ilisema ripoti ya USDA, ikisema mazao hayo mawili ni ya uzalishaji mkubwa zaidi nchini Marekani, yakifanyiza zaidi ya nusu ya ekari zote zilizopandwa." Kuna sababu nyingi za ukuaji wa eneo la maharagwe ya soya ikilinganishwa na mahindi. Uzalishaji wa mahindi umenufaika kutokana na ongezeko la mazao kwa ekari, na hivyo kuwawezesha wakulima kutumia ardhi kidogo kwa ajili ya mahindi huku wakidumisha uzalishaji huo. Ingawa mavuno ya maharagwe ya soya pia yaliboreshwa, faida za kiasi hazikuwa kubwa. Kadiri mavuno ya mahindi yanavyoongezeka, eneo lote lililopandwa kwa mahindi linatazamiwa kuwa na mwelekeo wa kushuka. Kwa kuongezea, mahitaji ya maharagwe ya soya yanahusiana sana na mahitaji ya ndani na ya kimataifa ya nyama. Chakula cha maharagwe ya soya ni sehemu kuu ya chakula cha wanyama katika spishi mbalimbali. Ongezeko la mapato katika nchi nyingi zinazoendelea limesababisha ongezeko la matumizi ya nyama na mahitaji ya kimataifa ya maharagwe ya soya. Ongezeko hili la mahitaji linatarajiwa kuweka shinikizo la juu juu ya bei ya maharagwe ya soya na kuongeza mapato ya mtayarishaji, kuhamasisha kupanda zaidi. "Hii ni kwa mujibu wa ripoti ya Wizara ya Kilimo ya Marekani (USDA) inayoitwa ""USDA Agricultural Projections to 2027,"" iliyotolewa Februari 2018."