To highlight the growing economic value and importance of diversified global markets for United States soybeans (U.S. Soy), international trade delegations representing 34 countries are visiting U.S. soybean farms, operations, ports, and other business partners this week as part of Soy Connext, the flagship event of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).
At a time of shifting trade dynamics and increasing global demand for reliable, high-quality protein and oil, Soy Connext brings together industry leaders, farmers, international buyers, and all stakeholders in the soybean value chain. This year’s Soy Connext is being attended by more than 700 people from 59 countries.
“Soy Connext isn’t just about celebrating the strength of American soybeans,” said Jim Sutter, CEO of USSEC. “It’s about demonstrating our commitment to providing consistent, reliable, high-quality products to meet the needs of diverse international markets in every region of the world, and building strong relationships that will help us achieve this goal.”
American soybeans are the largest U.S. agricultural export, contributing $31.2 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2023-24 marketing year and traded in more than 80 countries. As the international marketing arm of American soybeans, USSEC works to maximize the use, value, and access of American soybeans worldwide.
International Trade Team Event Main Focus
Enabling international trade is a key component of Soy Connext. Trade team visits focus on building vital connections with existing and potential market partners throughout the soybean supply chain, demonstrating their value as a reliable and stable trading partner through firsthand visits to where American soybeans are grown and processed.
In the course of visits, which began before the conference and continued afterward, this year’s international trade delegations visited a wide range of American soybean farms and operations in major soybean-growing and production regions across the United States. The visits highlighted the transparency of the U.S. soybean industry and its readiness to meet global demand. They provided international buyers with a firsthand experience of the sustainable practices, innovations, and environmental responsibilities that underpin the value proposition of American soybeans.
At Soy Connext, engagement continues with a program featuring expert talks, panel discussions on sustainability, plant-based protein trends, supply chain insights, and global market dynamics. A Trade Team Invitational also brings together key buyers and stakeholders, strengthening trade relationships and exploring market opportunities.
2025 International Trade Team Statistics
- 17 U.S. states visited: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington state and Wisconsin.
- 34 countries represented: Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
- 26 farm visits
- 40 industry visits
Growing Global Demand for American Soybeans
As demand for soybeans and soy products grows in emerging, growing, and established markets, American farmers and the industry are focusing on a strategy built on American soybeans’ reputation for consistency, reliability, and quality.
According to projections from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), growing global demand for oil, high-quality soybeans, and soybean meal—used to support the expansion of global livestock, aquaculture, and poultry production—will drive a 4.3% annual increase in global soybean demand in the 2024-25 marketing year, reaching 346.2 million metric tons.
“Global diversification is not a future goal; it’s a reality today,” said Sutter. “Our work through Soy Connext is helping international buyers understand the unique advantages of American soybeans and building lasting partnerships around the world.”
Highlights from the visit:
