Successful soybean farming requires a solid understanding of everything from agronomy to business management to mechanics. While the demands on today’s farmers are many, so are the needs and cultural differences of U.S. soy customers around the world.
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) launched 10 years ago as a partnership of U.S. soy organizations to represent farmers and the U.S. soy industry in international markets.
“The needs and cultures of our international customer are far too diverse and complex for farmers to tackle on our own,” says Laura Foell, USSEC chair and Iowa soybean farmer. “The expertise and leadership of USSEC and its partners ensure we have a strong market for our products, now and into the future.”
In the U.S., USSEC partnered with the soy checkoff, American Soybean Association, North American Export Grain Association, National Oilseed Processors Association and others to form the U.S. Soybean Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP). Some international customers are already buying soy certified by the SSAP because they know those shipments meet their sustainability needs.
“The SSAP is critical to meeting the sustainability demands of our customers and ensuring the competitiveness of U.S. soy,” says Foell. “Implementing it would not have been possible without the collaboration of these organizations.”
USSEC relies on local market experts to address cultural differences and show how U.S. soy meets local needs. Partnerships like these drive the use of U.S. soy for feed, aquaculture and human consumption in key markets.
USSEC also partners with competing soybean-producing nations to tackle key market access issues, such as biotechnology acceptance. USSEC participates alongside South American soybean farmer-leaders in the International Soy Growers Alliance (ISGA) to ensure timely approval of new biotech events. USSEC also participates in the International Oilseed Producers Dialogue (IOPD) to promote a sound business environment for all oilseed producers.
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