Italy Soybean Market Overview, 2030

Italy’s soybean market operates at a crossroads of traditional agriculture and rising consumer demand for sustainable, plant-based protein, reflecting both historical reliance on feed imports and a growing shift toward food-grade applications. The livestock sector, particularly poultry and dairy, continues to drive steady demand for high-protein soybean meal, largely imported and used in compound feeds. Simultaneously, Italy’s plant-based food industry is expanding, fueling demand for non-GMO, identity-preserved soybeans used in tofu, soy beverages, and innovative meat alternatives. Domestic soybean cultivation is concentrated in northern regions such as Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy, where food-grade, non-GMO varieties are grown under strict quality controls. Though domestic output does not meet total demand, it plays a strategic role in meeting traceability and sustainability standards preferred by Italian processors. Import protocols are heavily influenced by EU regulations, particularly the EU Deforestation Regulation and GMO labeling rules (Regulation EC No 1829/2003), which require soy imports to meet sustainability and traceability benchmarks. Certifications such as ProTerra, ISCC, and RTRS are commonly required by Italian buyers to ensure compliance. Italian processors add value through soy-based ingredients like textured vegetable protein, lecithin, and specialty oils, with an emphasis on clean-label, organic, and non-GMO claims. The government supports sustainable domestic production through CAP subsidies and industry-led initiatives like the Italian Soybean Supply Chain Agreement. Strict food safety standards are enforced by the Ministry of Health, particularly for soy products intended for human consumption, addressing pesticide residues and mycotoxin levels.

According to the research report "Italy Soybean Market Overview, 2030," published by Bonafide Research, the Italy Soybean market was valued at more than USD 4.44 Billion in 2024. The market drivers include the growing demand for plant-based proteins in traditional Italian food manufacturing, stricter implementation of EU deforestation regulations requiring supply chain restructuring, and the livestock sector's increasing need for traceable, non-GMO feed to meet premium certification requirements. Recent developments highlight Italy's National Protein Strategy aimed at reducing import dependency, alongside commitments from major food companies to source certified sustainable soy. The market features multinational agribusinesses handling bulk soybean meal imports for feed, specialized processors focusing on high-value food-grade soy ingredients, and farmer cooperatives driving domestic non-GMO soybean production for premium applications. Opportunities exist in expanding Italian soybean cultivation for food-grade markets, developing regional processing facilities for plant-based proteins, and creating identity-preserved supply chains for traditional food products. Compliance requirements differ between sectors, with feed focusing on sustainability and feed safety standards, while food manufacturers prioritize dual certification for both sustainability and identity preservation. These protocols address critical market needs by ensuring deforestation-free supply chains, maintaining GMO-free status to align with consumer preferences, and enabling product differentiation. The certification framework supports access to agricultural subsidies for domestic growers while helping manufacturers comply with Italy's rigorous food labeling regulations, creating value through enhanced supply chain transparency and quality assurance across the market.

Italy maintains one of Europe's strongest positions against GMO crops in agriculture, with a complete ban on domestic GMO soybean cultivation and stringent labeling requirements for imported GMO products under EU Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The non-GMO segment dominates food applications, driven by Italy's thriving plant-based food sector and traditional soy products like tofu and tempeh, where manufacturers such as Valsoia and Sojasun Italia insist on certified non-GMO soybeans, often requiring additional organic or ProTerra certifications to meet consumer expectations. This food-grade segment benefits from Italy's well-established system of geographical indications and quality certifications, with many producers emphasizing "Made in Italy" soybean ingredients as a premium differentiator in both domestic and export markets. In contrast, the GMO segment exists almost exclusively for animal feed applications, primarily imported as soybean meal from South America through multinational traders, though even feed mills face growing pressure from Italian dairy and meat producers to transition to non-GMO supplies to maintain access to premium markets. The market exhibits a significant price differential between GMO and non-GMO soybeans, reflecting both the costs of identity preservation and the willingness of Italian consumers to pay premiums for perceived quality and sustainability. Domestic soybean production, while limited in volume, focuses entirely on high-value non-GMO varieties, with farmer cooperatives in northern regions like Piedmont and Veneto developing specialized supply chains for food manufacturers. Regulatory pressures continue to shape this segmentation, with Italy's implementation of the EU's new deforestation regulation (EUDR) creating additional documentation requirements that favor certified non-GMO supply chains.

Animal feed represents the largest application, primarily utilizing imported soybean meal as a critical protein source for Italy's intensive poultry and dairy sectors, though facing increasing pressure to transition to certify sustainable and non-GMO supplies to align with premium meat and dairy production standards. The food and beverage sector, while smaller in volume, commands premium pricing and represents the fastest-growing segment, driven by Italy's strong tradition of plant-based foods and the rapid expansion of meat alternatives, with manufacturers requiring carefully segregated non-GMO soybeans for traditional products like tofu and tempeh, as well as innovative applications in pasta and dairy alternatives. Industrial applications focus mainly on soybean oil for food processing and limited biodiesel production, though this segment remains constrained by Italy's preference for olive oil in food applications and the country's cautious approach to crop-based biofuels. The "other" category includes specialized uses such as soy-based ingredients for Italy's renowned pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, which demand ultra-refined soy lecithin and other derivatives meeting stringent purity standards. The feed and food sectors are increasingly diverging in their sourcing strategies - while feed mills continue to rely on cost-efficient bulk imports, food manufacturers are developing dedicated supply chains for identity-preserved non-GMO soybeans, often partnering with domestic growers through initiatives like the Italian Soybean Supply Chain Project. This segmentation reflects Italy's dual role as a major feed importer and a premium food producer, with quality requirements and traceability standards becoming key differentiators across all applications.

Processed soy products dominate market volume, with soybean meal representing the primary form used in Italy's substantial animal feed sector, sourced mainly from large-scale crushing operations in neighboring EU countries and South America before reaching Italian feed mills. The processing sector also produces refined soybean oil for food manufacturing and industrial uses, along with specialized ingredients like textured vegetable proteins and protein isolates that are increasingly vital to Italy's growing plant-based food industry. These processed forms benefit from established global supply chains and economies of scale, though they face mounting pressure to meet Italy's stringent sustainability requirements and the EU's deforestation-free sourcing mandates. In contrast, raw soybeans occupy a more specialized but strategically important niche, primarily utilized by Italy's artisanal food producers, organic manufacturers, and a growing network of domestic farmers cultivating food-grade varieties. The raw soybean market caters to discerning buyers seeking traceable, non-GMO, and often organic beans for traditional soy foods like tofu and tempeh, with quality parameters emphasizing optimal moisture content, protein levels, and absence of pesticide residues. While processed soy products flow through conventional commodity channels, raw soybeans command premium pricing through identity-preserved supply chains that verify origin and handling practices, with many Italian buyers specifically seeking domestic or EU-origin beans to reduce food miles and ensure quality. Italy's limited but growing domestic soybean production focuses exclusively on raw food-grade beans, targeting high-value market segments that value local provenance and traditional processing methods. The regulatory landscape differentiates these forms significantly - processed products must comply with comprehensive feed and food safety standards including strict GMO labeling requirements, while raw soybeans for direct human consumption undergo more rigorous quality controls and often carry additional certifications like organic or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.



Direct Sales primarily involve transactions between soybean producers and large-scale buyers, including feed manufacturers, food processors, and biodiesel producers. This channel is favored by major agricultural cooperatives and soybean growers, allowing them to establish long-term contracts with processing units and industrial buyers, ensuring stable pricing and supply security. Direct sales are particularly significant for non-GMO soybean producers, who cater to specialized markets requiring traceability and sustainability compliance. Wholesale distribution plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between importers, processors, and end-users, facilitating bulk transactions for soybean meal, oil, and whole soybeans. Italy’s wholesale market is dominated by large agribusiness firms and commodity traders, ensuring efficient logistics and supply chain optimization. Wholesale distributors source soybeans from domestic farms and international suppliers, particularly from Brazil and the United States, to meet the demand of animal feed producers, food manufacturers, and industrial processors. The retail segment focuses on consumer-oriented soybean products, including soy milk, tofu, soy-based meat alternatives, and cooking oil, catering to the growing demand for plant-based and organic food options. Supermarkets, specialty stores, and online platforms play a vital role in distributing processed soybean products, ensuring accessibility for health-conscious consumers. Italy’s retail sector is witnessing a shift toward sustainable and locally sourced soybeans, driven by EU regulations on deforestation-free supply chains and organic certifications.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Soybean Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type
• GMO
• Non GMO

By Applications
• Animal Feed
• Food & Beverages
• Industrial
• Other

By Form
• Processed
• Raw

By Distribution Channel
• Direct Sales
• Wholesale
• Retail

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.