As part of the International Soy Growers Alliance (ISGA), leaders from the US Soy Checkoff, American Soybean Association (ASA) and the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) congregated in China - a country that buys about a quarter of the world's soy.

 

One of the barriers is the approval of biotechnology-improved soy. The ISGA delegation says they will highlight the importance of timely and transparent approval processes of new biotech to ensure smooth trade of soy.

 

"China is without a doubt the largest importer of US and South American soybeans, so it's really powerful when we can stand side-by-side with farmers we usually consider competitors to deliver a message," says Jared Hagert, United Soybean Board (USB) treasurer. "Our common goal is to build on these partnerships and strengthen trade relations so we can remain the premier supplier of soy for China."

 

"There's really no way to overstate just how important the Chinese market is for soybean farmers, not only here in the US, but in South America as well," said Ray Gaesser, ASA president.

 

"The cooperation and coordination of our three organisations - ASA, USB and USSEC - makes our partnership with our South American counterparts possible, and the more we're able to stand together as the world's primary producers of soy, the stronger we can make this trading partnership and the more each of our countries stands to benefit. That's why we're all here, together, in the interest of farmers, consumers and stakeholders in each country," he added.