Quality of Canadian food-type soybeans 2024

Growing and harvesting conditions

In Manitoba, soybean seeding started in mid-May and was 97% complete by late June. Wet and cold conditions in the spring slowed seeding progress and plant growth. Warm temperatures and high humidity in mid-July and August allowed soybean plants to develop rapidly. The soybean harvest began in late September under good conditions and was 98% complete by late October. Overall, soybean yields were very good.

In Quebec and Ontario, producers started seeding soybeans in mid-May. By the third week of May, more than 60% of the soybeans were planted. An extremely wet spring posed a challenge to field work. Some regions of Eastern Ontario and Quebec received a large amount of rain in a short period of time and soybean seeding was extended into June. Re-seeding was required in some fields. Overall, the condition of the soybean crop was good. Soybean plants started to produce pods in mid-June. Late-seeded crops advanced in their development in August. Warmer temperatures in September and October, and a late frost, allowed soybeans to further develop and mature. Overall, soybeans had good seed quality and yields.

Harvest samples

Through the Harvest Sample Program, the Canadian Grain Commission received 244 generic food-type and 11 natto-type soybean samples. The geographic distribution of the samples was as follows:

• 172 from Ontario
• 79 from Quebec
• 3 from the Prairie region
• 1 from the Atlantic region

All samples were graded by Canadian Grain Commission inspectors and had a grade of Soybean, No. 2 Canada or higher.

Composite samples were prepared for each of the regions shown in Figure 1. All composite samples were analysed for:

• 100-seed weight
• water absorption capacity/water uptake factor
• protein content
• oil content
• sugar content (sucrose and total oligosaccharides)
• total isoflavone content

Protein and oil content were determined using a near-infrared spectrometer (NIRS) which was calibrated and verified using the appropriate laboratory reference methods. Sugars and isoflavones were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Samples reported by grade do not necessarily represent the actual distribution of grades.

Protein and oil content

The protein content of 2024 Canadian food-type soybeans ranged from 36.0 to 50.5 grams (g) per 100 g dry matter (Table 1). The mean protein content was 42.1 g per 100 g dry matter, which is slightly lower than in 2023 (43.2 g per 100 g dry matter). The mean protein content of food-type soybeans from the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec was 43.6 g, 42.1 g and 41.9 g per 100 g dry matter, respectively.

The oil content of 2024 Canadian food-type soybeans ranged from 16.0 to 22.8 g per 100 g of dry matter (Table 2). The mean oil content was 20.4 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is similar to the 2023 value (20.5 g per 100 g dry matter). The mean oil content in food-type soybeans from the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec was 18.2 g, 20.5 g, and 20.4 g per 100 g of dry matter, respectively.

Canadian generic food-type soybeans

Table 3 contains the quality data for 2024 Canadian generic food-type soybeans used for making tofu, soymilk and miso. The mean 100-seed weight was 19.4 g, which is lower than in 2023 (21.0 g). The water absorption capacity was 1.18 g of water per g of seeds and the water uptake factor was 2.18 g of soaked seeds per g of seeds, both of which are similar to the 2023 values. Seed size and water uptake are important quality characteristics of food-type soybeans used to produce tofu, soymilk and miso.

The mean protein content in 2024 Canadian generic food-type soybeans was 42.3 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is close to the 2023 value (42.5 g per 100 g of dry matter). The mean oil content in 2024 generic food-type soybeans was 20.4 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is slightly lower than in 2023 (20.7 g per 100 g of dry matter).

The mean sucrose content in 2024 generic food-type soybeans was 63.7 g per kilogram (kg) of dry matter, which is higher than in 2023 (60.8 g per kg of dry matter). The mean total oligosaccharide content in 2024 generic food-type soybeans was 40.9 g per kg of dry matter, which is close to the 2023 value (41.3 g per kg of dry matter).

The mean total isoflavone content in 2024 Canadian generic food-type soybean was 4.0 g per kg of dry matter, which is slightly lower than in 2023 (4.3 g per kg of dry matter).

Canadian natto-type soybeans

Table 4 contains the quality data for 2024 Canadian natto-type soybeans used for making a traditional Japanese fermented dish. The mean 100-seed weight of 2024 natto-type soybeans was 8.8 g, which is lower than in 2023 (9.5 g). The water absorption value was 1.22 g of water per g of seeds and the water uptake factor was 2.22 g of soaked seeds per g of seeds, both of which are similar to the 2023 values.

The mean protein content of 2024 Canadian natto-type soybeans was 38.1 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is slightly lower than in 2023. The mean oil content was 21.1 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is similar to the 2023 value. The mean sucrose content of 2024 Canadian natto-type soybeans was 59.6 g per kg of dry matter, which is higher than in 2023. The mean oligosaccharide content was 47.1 g per kg of dry matter, close to the 2023 value. The mean total isoflavone content was 4.7 g per kg of dry matter, which is slightly higher than in 2023.