In recent weeks, Indiana soybean staff and board members traveled to China for a U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) event dedicated to increasing U.S. soybean exports. China, the top customer of U.S. soybean exports, purchased $16.4 billion worth of U.S. soybeans last year.
With such impressive numbers, there is no doubt that Indiana farmers prioritize the opportunity to immerse themselves in China’s soybean industry and engage with Chinese leaders to foster valuable connections.
Farmers understand that groundwork must happen before growing an export market as large as China. USSEC has been developing the Chinese market for U.S. soybeans for four decades. While in China, Hoosier farmers met the end users of U.S.-grown soybeans during USSEC’s 40th-anniversary celebration. USSEC officials said events such as this anniversary celebration lay a solid foundation for China’s continued use of Indiana-grown soybeans.
While in China, Indiana farmers and ISA staff had the opportunity to sit in on sustainability and market development sessions, gaining valuable insights into upcoming industry practices. ISA also took part in facility tours of prominent players in the industry, such as Cargill in Nantong and Yunnan Shennong Agriculture Industry Group in Yunnan to build and strengthen relationships between the two countries.
Panel discussion on sustainability
To align U.S. Soy with China’s goals of food security, food safety, and green value-chain establishment, USSEC organized a panel discussion to showcase on-farm sustainability practices. The discussion highlighted USSEC’s contributions to China’s economic development and livelihood improvement goals – fulfilling the Chinese government’s five-year plans.
Indiana farmers Matt Chapman from Springport, Ind., and Jim Douglas from Flat Rock, Ind., took part in the panel discussion to share their on-farm sustainability practices.
Increased U.S. exports in China’s growing soybean, livestock and aquaculture industries relies upon documented U.S. farm sustainability efforts to meet demands by foreign importers. The panel discussion reaffirmed that importing U.S. soybeans meets China’s demands for food security, and it also aligns with China’s sustainability and environmental targets.
Trade with China is critical
USSEC and ISA agree that maintaining open trade relations with China is critical. Ensuring seamless trade is essential for Chinese customers to have continuous access to high-quality U.S. soybeans. The open trade relationship between USSEC, ISA and China solidifies trust and collaboration, fostering a mutually beneficial partnership for the future.
With the help of USSEC, ISA Board members and staff are working together to differentiate, elevate preference and attain market access for U.S. Soy. The farmer-leaders of ISA are working to set the stage for another 40 years of soybean trade relations between the United States and China.
For additional information about the state’s soybean checkoff market development efforts, go online to incornandsoy.org
