South Dakota Soybean Processors opens oilseed processing plant
The plant is designed to crush up to 35 million bushels of soybeans annually, with plans to process sunflower, canola, and camelina by 2026.
USA – South Dakota Soybean Processors (SDSP) has officially opened its state-of-the-art oilseed processing facility, High Plains Processing (HPP), near Mitchell, marking a transformative moment for the region’s agricultural landscape.
The US$500 million plant, unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 9, 2025, is designed to crush up to 35 million bushels of soybeans annually, with plans to process sunflower, canola, and camelina by 2026.
The event featured nearly 1,000 attendees, including farmers, investors, contractors, and state officials, all of whom celebrated a project four years in the making.
SDSP CEO Tom Kersting called the facility a “game-changer,” noting its potential to reduce transportation costs, increase local demand, and stabilize market prices for soybean growers.
Additionally, Kersting highlighted that while the plant will initially focus on soybeans in its first year, there is strong interest from farmers raising alternative crops, such as sunflowers, which yield twice as much oil per acre as soybeans.
Strategically located on the BNSF railway, the plant boasts impressive storage capacity, with 4 million bushels of soybeans and other high-oil seeds, 8,000 tons of meal and hulls, 12.3 million gallons of crude oil, and 3.52 million gallons of refined oil.
Initially focused on soybeans, the facility will produce soybean meal for livestock feed and soybean oil for food and renewable diesel.
With China scaling back U.S. soybean imports due to tariff tensions, the plant offers a vital domestic outlet for South Dakota’s 238 million bushel annual crop.
Craig Weber, SDSP board president, emphasized the plant’s role in narrowing the price gap between market rates and what farmers receive, primarily driven by reduced freight costs.
Governor Larry Rhoden, who spoke at the opening, hailed the project as a model for value-added agriculture, reinforcing South Dakota’s commitment to enhancing its top industry.
The facility is expected to employ 75 full-time staff and will operate from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. during peak harvest season. Farmers have already begun contracting for soybeans, with strong interest from those growing alternative oilseeds, such as sunflowers.
As the plant ramps up operations in October, it promises to reshape the region’s ag economy, offering new markets, greater efficiency, and long-term resilience for producers across the Midwest.
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.
