Cargill has planned to build a soybean processing facility in the US with an annual capacity of 62 million bushels to meet the domestic and global demand for oilseeds.

Cargill will break ground on the project early next year, with plans to be operational in 2026. 

The facility will be the first of its kind for Southeast Missouri and is believed to boost economic development in the region. 

“Cargill’s new facility, with its location on the Mississippi river, will operate year-round and allow farmers to take advantage of increased domestic demand versus relying solely on seasonal exports,” says Tim Coppage, regional commercial lead, Cargill agricultural supply chain, US. 

“Access to both river and rail will provide more flexibility and market access for farmers,” Coppage says.

Oilseeds capacity in the USCargill is set to increase oilseed production capacity with the new facility.
The new facility expands Cargill’s efforts to modernize and increase capacity across its US oilseeds network.

In 2021, the company put a series of projects in motion across the US, including plans to significantly improve its soybean crush facility in Ohio and construction of a new canola processing facility in Saskatchewan. 

“Missouri currently ranks sixth in the US for soybean production. The new facility’s location will expand the US$94 billion impact of Missouri agriculture, accelerate economic development, and enhance workforce opportunities in the Bootheel,” says Mike Kehoe, lieutenant governor, Missouri.

Cargill has had a presence in Missouri since 1936 and currently operates across 11 locations in the state and employs nearly 1,200 people. 

Meanwhile, Cargill entered a joint venture with Bflike, a Dutch start-up poised to be a new technology leader in the rapidly evolving meat and fish alternatives categories. This move illustrates how Cargill collaborates with the start-up world to speed up bringing innovation to consumers amid rising flexitarian and meat-reducing trends.

Cargill rolled out a range of alternative meat products, entering the market as the latest challenger to notable players such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. The global food and agriculture giant launched its new private label plant-based patties and ground products.