In recent weeks, Indiana soybean staff and board members traveled to China for a United States 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.
Source: incornandsoy.org
Photo Credit: gettyImages-dilok-klaisataporn
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Soybeans