CHS breaks ground on US$700M soybean processing plant
The facility is expected to process 80 million bushels of soybeans annually, producing about 1 billion pounds of soybean oil and 2 million tons of soybean meal.
USA – CHS has broken ground on a planned soybean processing facility near Evansville, Wisconsin, marking a major investment in domestic oilseed processing capacity.
Community leaders, soybean growers, industry representatives, and government officials attended the ceremonial groundbreaking.
The project is expected to strengthen market access for farmers while meeting growing demand for soybean oil and meal across food, animal feed and renewable fuel industries.
The facility represents an investment of approximately US$700 million and is designed to process 80 million bushels of soybeans annually.
Once operational, it is expected to produce approximately 1 billion pounds of soybean oil and 2 million tons of soybean meal each year.
Construction is expected to begin after the required permitting is complete, with the plant targeted for completion in autumn 2028.
CHS President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Debertin said the project would provide farmers with another reliable market for their soybeans while strengthening domestic agricultural supply chains.
The investment comes as demand for soybean-derived products continues to expand, particularly in food manufacturing, livestock nutrition and renewable fuel production.
The new facility will be located in southern Wisconsin, an important soybean-producing region with substantial demand for soybean meal from livestock producers.
Its proximity to soybean farms, rail services and major transportation corridors is expected to support efficient movement of raw materials and finished products to domestic and international markets.
The plant will complement CHS’s existing soybean processing operations in Fairmont and Mankato, Minnesota, which together process approximately 119 million bushels annually.
Once the Evansville facility becomes operational, the cooperative’s soybean processing capacity is expected to increase by more than two-thirds, significantly expanding its oilseed processing network.
The development is also expected to generate employment and economic benefits for the surrounding community. CHS anticipates creating about 80 permanent jobs once the plant is operational, along with hundreds of construction and skilled-trade positions during development.
For the animal feed industry, the additional soybean meal supply could support livestock producers seeking reliable sources of protein-rich feed ingredients. Meanwhile, increased soybean oil production could serve food manufacturers and renewable fuel producers, strengthening connections between agriculture and industrial markets.
The project reflects broader investment in United States soybean crushing capacity as processors respond to demand for vegetable oils, protein meals and biofuel feedstocks.
By expanding processing infrastructure closer to production areas, CHS aims to create additional value for farmer-owners, improve supply-chain efficiency and support long-term growth across the agricultural sector.
At the event, CHS also announced US$50,000 in community investments in Evansville, including support for the CARE Closet Program and the high school agriculture program.
Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
