Indiana Soybean Alliance hosts delegation of soybean buyers from China

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Blower Jr. at 317-644-0980; dblower@indianasoybean.com

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 20, 2026) — The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) hosted more than a dozen soybean buyers from China earlier this month for agricultural tours throughout the state. The Chinese delegation made their way to the Hoosier State after attending 2026 Soy Connext in Chicago, which is an annual export-focused conference organized by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). Soy Connext attracts more than 800 attendees from over 60 countries every year.

While in Indiana, the Chinese delegation visited Fischer Food Grade and Seed in Shelbyville, the Chris Eck family farm in Boggstown, and Bunge Soy Processing in Morristown. The tour ended with the delegation eating food cooked in high oleic soybean oil during a baseball game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.

Eck, who is a volunteer director on the ISA Board, explained that there is no substitute for building relationships. “When trade is difficult and competitive, relationships become more important,” he said. “By having the delegation at our farm and local businesses, we’re able to show what we do best. We produce quality products, grown sustainably at a competitive price. The delegation was able to see it with their own eyes, and that matters in a competitive market.”

Soy Connext is among the key export events by USSEC. This year’s event boasted record attendance of more than 800 international participants from 67 countries. Trade with China was a primary focus during this year’s conference with more than 30 Chinese customers represented.

U.S. soybean exports – including whole soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil – are projected to grow by 5 percent in the 2026-27 marketing year. This increase is being driven by increased demand across more markets and a projected return-to-normal demand from China, historically the top customer for U.S. soybeans.

The USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate projects China’s soybean imports at 115 million metric tons in the 2026-27 marketing year, which would set a new record.

We’re seeing China’s purchases return closer to normal and other destinations continuing to grow,” said USSEC CEO Jim Sutter. “This is a good place to be. That’s not a coincidence – it’s what happens when you keep showing up. Even when there were trade issues in various places, or in the worst case when trade stopped, USSEC never stopped engaging with our international partners. That persistence combined with the reliability, quality and value U.S. Soy delivers, kept the door open and is what’s driving this growth today.”

According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Hoosier farmers planted more than 5 million acres of soybeans this year. Indiana annually produces more than 330 million bushels of soybeans worth more than $4 billion. Indiana is the fourth-largest, soybean-producing state in America.

ISA, Indiana’s soybean checkoff works to increase demand for the crop by developing new markets, supported by partners such as USSEC. With offices in more than 80 countries, USSEC supports a wide range of industries in utilizing U.S. Soy products. USSEC works to maximize the utilization, value and access to markets of U.S. Soy around the world.

Visit www.ussec.org for details about U.S. Soy export efforts. For more information about ISA, visit www.incornandsoy.org.

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About Indiana Soybean Alliance: The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA works to assist soybean farmers through its strategic initiatives of market development; environmental, social and economic sustainability; value creation and producer engagement. ISA is led by an elected, farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 20,000 Indiana soybean farmers. Learn more at www.incornandsoy.org

About U.S. Soy Export Council: USSEC focuses on differentiating, building preference and enabling market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture and livestock feed in 80-plus countries internationally. USSEC members represent the soy supply chain including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses and agricultural organizations. USSEC is funded by the U.S. soybean checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) matching funds and industry. Please visit www.ussec.org for the latest information, resources and news about USSEC and U.S. Soy internationally.

This communication was funded with Indiana soybean checkoff dollars.