Quality of Canadian food-type soybeans 2025

Growing and harvesting conditions

In Manitoba, soybeans were seeded between early May and June. Precipitation varied across regions during the growing period, and in some areas, drought stress affected crop growth. Timely rainfall in August boosted yield potential, while early frosts in September resulted in some damage to late-maturing varieties. Harvest began in late September and was largely completed by late October. Yields were generally good, but were lower in areas with limited moisture.

In Ontario, most soybeans were seeded during May. Early-seeded soybeans were slow to emerge due to cold temperatures. During the summer, moisture stress affected large parts of the province, particularly central and eastern Ontario, which accelerated crop development and reduced yields. Some fields experienced complete crop failure. In contrast, crops in southwestern Ontario received adequate moisture, developed normally and achieved good yields.

In Quebec, cool and wet conditions caused some seeding delays for soybean crops. Hot temperatures and a lack of rain during the summer negatively affected yields. Harvest was largely completed by mid-October under favourable conditions.

Harvest samples

Through the Harvest Sample Program, the Canadian Grain Commission received 202 generic food-type and 19 natto-type soybean samples. The geographic distribution of the samples was as follows:

• 172 from Ontario
• 44 from Quebec
• 4 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).

The reported number of samples by grade does not necessarily represent the actual distribution of grades.

Protein and oil content

The protein content of 2025 Canadian food-type soybeans ranged from 34.5 to 48.5 grams (g) per 100 g dry matter (Table 1). The mean protein content was 40.7 g per 100 g dry matter, which is lower than in 2024 (42.1 g per 100 g dry matter). The mean protein content of food-type soybeans from the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec was 41.7 g, 40.6 g and 41.0 g per 100 g dry matter, respectively.

The oil content of 2025 Canadian food-type soybeans ranged from 16.5 to 22.8 g per 100 g of dry matter (Table 2). The mean oil content was 20.8 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is slightly higher the 2024 value (20.4 g per 100 g dry matter). The mean oil content in food-type soybeans from the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec was 18.7 g, 20.8 g, and 20.6 g per 100 g of dry matter, respectively.

Canadian generic food-type soybeans

Table 3 contains the quality data for 2025 Canadian generic food-type soybeans used for making tofu, soymilk and miso. The mean 100-seed weight was 18.8 g, which is lower than in 2024 (19.4 g). The water absorption capacity was 1.21 g of water per g of seeds and the water uptake factor was 2.21 g of soaked seeds per g of seeds, both of which are higher than the 2024 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 2025 Canadian generic food-type soybeans was 41.0 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is lower than the 2024 value (42.3 g per 100 g of dry matter). The mean oil content in 2025 generic food-type soybeans was 20.7 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is slightly higher than in 2024 (20.4 g per 100 g of dry matter).

The mean sucrose content in 2025 generic food-type soybeans was 56.1 g per kilogram (kg) of dry matter, which is lower than in 2024 (63.7 g per kg of dry matter). The mean total oligosaccharide content in 2025 generic food-type soybeans was 49.4 g per kg of dry matter, which is higher than the 2024 value (40.9 g per kg of dry matter).

The mean total isoflavone content in 2025 Canadian generic food-type soybeans was 4.2 g per kg of dry matter, which is slightly higher than in 2024 (4.0 g per kg of dry matter).

Canadian natto-type soybeans

Table 4 contains the quality data for 2025 Canadian natto-type soybeans used for making a traditional Japanese fermented dish. The mean 100-seed weight of 2025 natto-type soybeans was 8.3 g, which is lower than in 2024 (8.8 g). The water absorption value was 1.25 g of water per g of seeds and the water uptake factor was 2.25 g of soaked seeds per g of seeds, both of which are similar to the 2024 values.

The mean protein content of 2025 Canadian natto-type soybeans was 38.4 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is slightly higher than in 2024. The mean oil content was 20.3 g per 100 g of dry matter, which is lower than the 2024 value (21.1 g per 100 g of dry matter). The mean sucrose content of 2025 Canadian natto-type soybeans was 51.9 g per kg of dry matter, which is lower than in 2024. The mean total oligosaccharide content was 57.0 g per kg of dry matter, higher than the 2024 value. The mean total isoflavone content was 4.6 g per kg of dry matter, which is similar to the 2024 value.