USSEC Trade Team from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Explores U.S. Soybean Industry and Sustainability Practices -Ricky Thaper (www.rickythaper.com)
In a landmark tour, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Trade Team from South Asia, comprising delegates from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, alongside delegates from Nigeria in Sub-Saharan Africa, visited the heart of the U.S. soybean industry. Their journey, organized by USSEC, spanned a week and involved insightful discussions with industry leaders, hands-on farm visits in Missouri and Illinois States and participation in the highly anticipated Global U.S. Soy Summit, “Soy Connext” in San Francisco, California.
Highlights of the U.S. Soybean Industry Tour
Mr. Kevin Roepke, Regional Director for South Asia & Sub-Saharan Africa, USSEC, in the beginning of the tour gave an engaging presentation outlining the team’s schedule. The program featured visits to soybean farms, grain elevator facilities in St. Louis, Missouri and Bloomington, Illinois and an exploration of river lock dam facilities. The visiting Delegation engaged directly with U.S. Soy industry leaders, gaining in-depth knowledge of the nation’s soybean value chain.
The delegation’s visit to the Cargill Grain Elevator Facility in St. Louis offered a unique opportunity to understand the large-scale operations that make U.S. soybeans a dominant force in the global market. Ms. April Sloan, Plant Manager at Cargill, provided a comprehensive tour, showcasing the latest technological innovations in grain storage and export operations.
Further enhancing the delegation’s understanding of cutting-edge agricultural practices, the team visited the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Missouri. Here, more than 400 scientists work towards improving global nutrition through crop innovation.
Mr. Mike Manson, Development Officer at the center, led the group through the facility, introducing them to pioneering research aimed at addressing global food security challenges.
In Illinois, the delegation was welcomed by Mr. Jerry Gaffner and Mr. Scott Gaffner, third-generation farmers at Gaffner Family Farm, where they observed sustainable soybean and corn farming practices. The Gaffner family’s dedication to mechanization and environmental stewardship exemplifies the leading role of U.S. farmers in advancing sustainable agriculture.
The visit to Riddell Farm in Sparland, Illinois, continued the delegation’s immersion into advanced farming methods. Mr. Jay Riddell, a fourth-generation farmer, shared the farm’s success in utilizing mechanization to boost crop yields while prioritizing sustainability. This visit was further enriched by the participation of Ms. Eileen Pabst, International Markets Manager at the Illinois Soybean Association and Mr. Mark Read, Vice Chairman of the Global Soy Excellence Center Steering Committee, who provided valuable insights into global agricultural practices.
Global U.S. Soy Summit “SoyConnext”:
At the Global U.S. Soy Summit “Soy Connext” in San Francisco, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted over 800 international buyers and sellers from 62 countries. This major event highlighted the strengths of the U.S. soybean industry, with U.S. farmers projected to produce 4.6 billion bushels of soybeans for the 2024/25 crop, marking an 11% increase from the previous year.
A key feature of the summit was the emphasis on sustainability. The Sustainable U.S. Soy (SUSS) label, which promotes products verified by the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) received significant attention.
Rosalind Leeck, USSEC Executive Director, highlighted the growing demand for the SUSS label, with 25 companies recognized at the event for their commitment to sustainability and adoption of the label. Among the recognized companies were Grupo Bios (Mexico), New Anthoney’s (South Asia), Miyoshi Foods Co. (Japan), Sajo Daerim (Korea), PT. Azaki Food Internasional (Southeast Asia), and TTET Oil Union Corp. (Taiwan). The SUSS label, now featured on over 1,000 products globally, reflects U.S. Soy’s commitment to responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship. The summit underscored the importance of collaboration and data-driven insights in advancing sustainable agricultural practices and meeting global nutritional needs.
USSEC Chair Lance Rezac remarked, “It’s truly a humbling experience to bring so many key customers from around the world together to meet with U.S. exporters and expand their understanding of the value U.S. Soy offers. Compared to recent years, the price is right for buyers to benefit from U.S. Soy’s many advantages. While soybeans are sold as a commodity oilseed, U.S. Soy is recognized for its premium quality, which enhances operational efficiencies for livestock farms, feed mills, and oil crushers, introduces better flavor profiles in the soy foods sector, and exemplifies on-farm stewardship with the lowest carbon footprint. Events like Soy Connext are essential for showcasing these strengths and fostering global collaboration.” As I reflect on Soy Connext, I’m struck by the upbeat mood among the soy trade. Prices are great for buyers now, and that was reflected in San Francisco. A sincere thank you to those who purchased U.S. Soy during Soy Connext.
We’re seeing more and more of our customers acknowledging the significant value that comes with choosing sustainable U.S. Soy for their products—and more who are recognizing the value in showing that commitment to sourcing sustainably with a consumer-facing Sustainable U.S. Soy packaging label.
During Soy Connext, U.S. soy farmers sat down to share insights about this year’s crop and talk about on-farm practices and the drivers behind their decision-making.
Ms. Anja Manuel, Cofounder and Partner of Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC, at the Soy Connext Conference, gave us a glimpse of geopolitics around the world. Ms. Manuel said that it will continue to be a wild ride, but she believes our best days are still ahead of us.
A Collaborative Future:
Mr. Jim Sutter, CEO of USSEC, expressed the importance of the summit, saying, “Soy Connext serves as a platform for unveiling new data and fostering collaboration. Our technical experts help global customers understand how U.S. soy, with its superior feed conversion ratios and sustainability credentials, is an essential partner in addressing the world’s growing protein needs.”
Mr. Kevin Roepke said SoyConnext is the flagship event for the US Soybean Export Council. Our signature adjunct team tours scatter throughout the United States to showcase the sustainable soybean crop by highlighting the transportation/logistics capabilities, agronomy innovation and explains the incredible value proposition of US soy. US Soy has intrinsic characteristics which set it apart from the world like lower moisture and damage and higher digestibility and metabolizable energy.
Throughout the course of history, we’ve seen that leaning into trade has been a major impetus to achieving rapid economic growth. Moreover, the US is not only the world’s largest exporter of food but also the largest importer. This paradox highlights the need for looking at global markets to increase consumer choice and build more resilient and sustainable food supply chains” – Kevin Roepke, Regional Director- South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SAASSA), USSEC
Mr. Jaison John, Team Lead – India at USSEC, further elaborated on the vital role U.S. Soy can play in enhancing food security for India’s vast population amidst inflationary pressures. “Ensuring nutritional security for India’s population of 1.4 billion is a significant challenge, but U.S. Soy can be a vital partner in this effort,” he said. “With its high-quality protein and versatile food applications, U.S. Soy can enhance food security, support sustainable agriculture, empower local communities, and foster economic growth.”
Ms. Colby Pinkstone, Senior Director, Strategic Programs at US Soybean Export Council moderated one of the sessions on second day.
The delegates were able to interact with farmers to lean how this is possible and what make US soy so unique. Together, our industries were able to build stronger relationships; and by collaboration and connection at events like this, we can nourish the world.
Throughout the course of history, we’ve seen that leaning into trade has been a major impetus to achieving rapid economic growth. Moreover, the US is not only the world’s largest exporter of food but also the largest importer. This paradox highlights the need for looking at global markets to increase consumer choice and build more resilient and sustainable food supply chains”
During the event, Mr. Naveen Pasuparthy, President of the Karnataka Poultry Breeders and Farmers Association (KPBFA), signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USSEC to promote the Soy Excellence Center (SEC) program in Karnataka State. This MOU reflects a shared commitment to enhancing global nutritional security through sustainable and innovative practices.
The Soy Excellence Center (SEC) and U.S. Soybean Export Council are already offering free online courses in India, including the SEC India Poultry Production and Management course and the Feed Milling Basic Certificate Course. These programs equip trainees with foundational knowledge and continued learning through the SEC digital platform, providing both regional and international exposure. As the poultry industry increasingly requires skilled experts, this initiative is vital in preparing the next generation to sustain and advance the sector.
At the Soy Excellence Center (SEC) Global Advisory Panel meeting, Ms. Tori Sorensen, Chairperson of SEC, welcomed the attendees, which included leadership from USSEC, state soybean associations, and SEC Regional Advisory Council members from across the globe. Mr. Mark Read, Vice Chairman of SEC, updated the panel on ongoing activities, while committee chairs reviewed the budgets allocated to SEC initiatives.
Dr. Vijay Anand, Center Lead – India, Soy Excellence Center, highlighted the SEC’s alignment with India’s “Skills India” program. Launched in January 2024, SEC in India has already introduced specialized courses in poultry, feed-milling, and soy foods, marking significant progress in industry skill development. Dr. Vijay emphasized that India’s large animal husbandry and soy foods sectors require significant workforce training, and SEC’s globally sourced expertise is helping prepare young professionals for the challenges and opportunities in these sectors.
There was Regional Panel Introduction by Center Lead, Global Advisory Panel Member and Regional Advisory Council. The meeting ended with the closing comments from Mr. Jim Sutter, CEO, USSEC.
The U.S. tour and Global Soy Summit “Soy Connext” have highlighted the U.S. soybean industry’s dedication to sustainability and innovation. The insights and experiences gained are set to greatly impact efforts to promote U.S. soy in South Asia and beyond. The support and hospitality from the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the Soy Excellence Center have been invaluable, driving advancements in global nutritional security and fostering stronger international collaborations.
As the summit concluded, it became evident that international cooperation is key to advancing sustainable agricultural practices and meeting the world’s increasing protein demands. The event served as a powerful testament to the U.S. soy industry’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships.
Myself as one of the member of the South Asia delegation and the Regional Advisory Council Member of the Soy Excellence Center, this tour has deepened our understanding of the U.S. soybean industry’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and global nutrition. The experiences and insights gained will have a lasting impact on our efforts to promote U.S. soy in South Asia.” My gratitude to Mr. Kevin Roepke, Regional Director for South Asia & Sub-Saharan Africa; Ms. Deeba Giannoulis, Regional Head of U.S. Soy Marketing & Sustainability; Ms. Hibah Ameer, Regional Head of Communications; Mr. Jaison John, Country Lead- India; Dr. Vijay Anand, Center Lead-India, Soy Excellence Center, Mr. Pawan Kumar, Country Lead- Nepal; Mr. Saram Pokhari, Country Lead-Pakistan; Mr. Khabibur Rahman, Country Lead- Bangladesh; Dr. Khurram Shahbaz, Regional Special Projects Facilitator, South Asia, Ms. Dhanu and Mr. Tara S Rawat from USSEC India, Ms. Nikita from USSEC Dubai and all other team members of the U.S. Soybean Export Council for their efforts in highlighting the sustainability and global benefits of U.S. soy.
(Poultry Creations: A Monthly Magazine for Poultry Industry)
