Indiana soybean checkoff officials participate in USDA-led agribusiness mission in Vietnam 

USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor led an agribusiness trade mission to Vietnam in September. Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) CEO Courtney Kingery represented the organizations on the trade mission. 

“Vietnam is a critical market to Indiana farmers,” Kingery said. “We continue to build and maintain relationships in Vietnam and this trade mission provided the opportunity to do just that. We are selective and only participate in trade missions to markets that are growing and will benefit Indiana corn and soybean growers.” 

The delegation consisted of 60 U.S. agribusiness and farm organizations and nine state departments of agriculture aiming to develop and expand business opportunities with importers in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. 

The trade mission coincided with the first anniversary of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Speaking to delegates during the trade mission, Taylor said that the USDA is committed to keeping U.S. agriculture at the forefront of its trading relationship with Vietnam. 

According to the USDA, exports of U.S. agricultural products are recognized by Vietnamese consumers, importers and retailers for their reliability, quality and sustainability. U.S. pork, beef, poultry, tree nuts and fresh fruit are in high demand in the country’s food processing, retail and restaurant sectors. 

Soy Excellence Center efforts 

ISA Board Member Joe Stoller, a farmer from Bremen, Ind., represented Indiana during the Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Cooperators Conference in Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam. Stoller serves on the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Soy Excellence Center (SEC) Global Advisory Panel. 

“My biggest take away from the (trade mission) to Vietnam is that there are a lot of opportunities for U.S. soybeans,” he said. “Vietnam has a young population and a growing middle class that is looking for protein.” 

During the event, Stoller also joined some fellow farmers on a panel to talk about how they are growing crops sustainably. The first-generation farmer uses reduced-tillage and no-tillage where possible to reduce passes across the field. 

“It’s important for farmers to participate in events like this and put a face to the product that customers are buying,” he said. “We are using sustainable practices to grow a quality crop that people can depend on.” 

The 20th anniversary of the Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Cooperators Conference saw more than 450 participants. The annual event, organized by USSEC, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and U.S. Wheat Associates, brings together importers, end-users and suppliers of U.S. soybeans, corn, wheat and their co-products.