U.S. soybean production has increased sevenfold since 1950, making soybeans the second highest valued crop after corn. Soybean production has risen in response to increasing world demand for soybeans and the derivative products, oil and meal. The U.S. share of the world export market has ranged from 65-80 percent during the 1980's. Soybean oil accounts for 75 percent of the fats and oils used in edible oil products. Soybean meal is the major high protein feed fed to livestock in the United States. This report describes the U.S. soybean industry from producers to consumers and provides a single source of economic and statistical information on soybeans.