<p>Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i>) is grown as a commercial crop in over 80 countries with a combined harvest of 162 million metric tonnes. The major producers of soybeans in 2000 were the United States, Brazil, China, Argentina, India, Canada and Paraguay. Soybean is grown primarily for its seed which has many uses in the food and industrial sectors, and represents one of the major sources of edible vegetable oil and of proteins for livestock feed use. A major food use of soybean in North America and Europe is as purified oil, used in margarines, shortenings, and cooking and salad oils. It is also a major ingredient in food products such as tofu, tempeh, soya sauce, simulated milk and meat products, and is a minor ingredient in many processed foods. Soybean meal is used as a supplement in feed rations for livestock.</p>
