Cultivating Global Insights: Empowering U.S. Soybean Oil Advantages at USSEC Vietnam Seminar

• Staff from the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) participated in a U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) seminar on U.S. Soybean Oil Production, Functionality and Health in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in early August.

More than 70 attendees and soybean buyers from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and The Philippines were eager to learn more about the sustainability advantage, high quality and reliable supply of U.S. soybean oil. These buyers represent more than 530 million consumers.

The attendees represented the soy oil crushing and refinery sectors, food and soy manufacturing industry from product development to application. Health professionals such as nutritionists and dietitians, food technologists and researchers from industries and universities also attended.

Most countries in the SEA region commonly use palm oil and coconut oil. USSEC officials believe the seminar was an opportune moment to promote the high quality and sustainable choice of U.S. soybean oil. While economic factors continue to favor the use of palm oil in this region, USSEC said soybean oil will play a significant role in improving the health of the population and provide a wider choice of oils with unique functional benefits.

Among those wider choices is value-added high oleic soybean oil for food application. The soybean buyers at the seminar learned that most high oleic soybeans are grown in Indiana. Hoosier farmers lead the world in 2023 with more than 800,000 acres of high oleic soybeans planted. These soybeans produce a heart-healthy, shelf stable oil in demand by many end users in the state and abroad.

“We are thankful to USSEC for organizing this seminar, and I have learned a lot from the experts on the advantages of soybean oils, especially its refining advantages, its food application and health benefits,” said seminar attendee Anzs Budy Hartanta Sihombing, a Senior Manager with Sari Burger Indonesia. “We are hoping that our company in the future can use the soybean oils and other soybean products.”

This seminar laid the foundation to launch the first Southeast Asia Soy Oil Master’s program to promote the U.S. soybean oil advantage in the SEA market. Sponsored by ISA, the Soybean Oil Master’s Certification Program gathers individuals involved in the oil industry such as food manufacturers and food service providers to educate them about the processes and uses of soybean oil through technical seminars, trade team visits and educational sessions.

Along with SEA, ISA will sponsor USSEC’s Soybean Oil Master’s Certification Programs in Korea,  Southeast Asia to include Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia,  and Latin America in the upcoming year. Over 350 individuals will participate in the Soybean Oil Master’s programs next year.

USSEC focuses on differentiating, elevating preference and attaining market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 80+ countries internationally. USSEC receives soybean farmer checkoff dollars from the United Soybean Board and several state soybean checkoff organizations, including ISA. USSEC fulfills its mission by elevating a preference for U.S. Soy by nurturing relationships, growing awareness and demonstrating value to global customers. With offices in more than 80 countries, USSEC helps customers with diverse backgrounds and experiences to reach their full potential by using U.S. Soy products.

Learn more about the checkoff investments that create global demand: