Conference highlights trade growth and food security goals
More than 400 agricultural leaders and stakeholders from over 20 nations met in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Cooperators Conference (ACC). The event was co-organized by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) under the theme “Enabling Trade Today, Unlocking Tomorrow.”
For over two decades, ACC has provided U.S. exporters with an opportunity to meet international buyers and strengthen trade partnerships. According to Caleb Wurth, USGBC regional director for Southeast Asia & Oceania, the event has grown into a cornerstone conference, attracting not only Southeast Asian participants but also attendees from South Korea and Taiwan.
Key speakers included USGBC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, Vice Chairman Jay Reiners, Ohio Corn Checkoff Chair Patty Mann, USSEC Chair Janna Fritz, and CEO Jim Sutter. Together, they discussed the state of international trade and the path forward for U.S. agriculture.
Panel discussions covered logistics, grain quality standards, and regional trade relations, with insights from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Experts highlighted the region’s rising demand for high-quality protein, the importance of food safety, and the need for secure, sustainable supply chains.
The second day featured sessions on global food systems and geopolitics, along with farm visits to showcase how U.S. feed grains are used in dairy and aquaculture. Business-to-business meetings allowed U.S. exporters to build future trade opportunities.
“There are many rapidly expanding economies in the region, and the Council and its partners have been laying the groundwork for years to establish a foothold for the U.S. agricultural industry here,” Wurth said. "The continued success of ACC is a sign of customers’ recognition of the quality of U.S. products and their desire to trade, and we look forward to many more iterations to come.”
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