There's a favorable atmosphere in the marketplace for soy products. That's according to an exclusive online survey in which almost 75% of respondents said they have purchased soy-based food, beauty or home products. Additionally, 74% of respondents to the same survey say they believe soy-based food products are a healthier alternative to traditional food items. The Corn And Soybean Digest conducted the survey in November 2005 among soybean growers.
The items most commonly purchased by those surveyed included soy-based candles (51%), soyfood (49%), soy-based lotion (26%) and soy-based cleaning product (24%).
Two-thirds of those surveyed say they promote the use of soy products in their community.And, nearly half (47%) of the respondents to this online survey said they specifically look for soy ingredients in food, beauty, cleaning and other products. However, the same amount of respondents (47%) to this survey said they are not willing to pay more for a product simply because it has a soy ingredient.
About half (51%) of those responding to The Corn And Soybean Digest online survey feel that soy-based products are readily available in their area, while 93% of those surveyed report that biodiesel is available within 30 miles of their home.
One-fourth of the respondents to this online survey have access to or ownership in a soybean processing facility.
To learn more about soy products, visit an online guide provided by the United Soybean Board at www.unitedsoybean.org/public_soyproducts.cfm. Products are arranged in three categories: Consumer Products, Ingredients and Intermediates and Industrial Products.
| Number Reporting | Percent Reporting | |
|---|---|---|
| Soy-based candle | 139 | 50.9% |
| Soyfood | 133 | 48.7% |
| Soy-based lotion | 72 | 26.4% |
| Soy-based cleaning product | 66 | 24.2% |
| Other | 11 | 4.0% |
| No answer | 2 | .7% |
| Total | 273 | 100.0% |
| Number Reporting | Percent Reporting | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 273 | 74.8% |
| No | 92 | 25.2% |
| Total | 365 | 100.0% |
The soybean checkoff sponsored 2005 Consumer Attitudes About Nutrition survey indicates that consumers have changed their views of soyfoods for the better.
The survey shows:
88% of respondents consider soybean oil as one of the two healthiest oils, second only to olive oil.
78% of respondents perceive soyfood products as healthy. Since last year's survey, more consumers have enjoyed soy veggie burgers regularly and nearly 40% of respondents have tried plain white tofu.
27% of respondents stated that they consumed soyfoods or soy beverages at least once a week.