November 4, 2025

 

US soybean exports target North African market 

 

 

Walter Gretzky's famous advice to his son Wayne—"skate to where the puck's going to be, not where it's been"—applies well beyond hockey, even to the US soybean market.

 

The late father of legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky had no idea the US Soybean Export Council would also use that advice to meet its goals for marketing.

 

While USSEC works to strengthen relations with existing export partners, it's also expanding sales in countries that could soon have a bigger appetite for US soybeans and soy products.

 

Though the global market seems focused on geopolitical issues, such as tariffs, USSEC is looking at demand—where it is and where it will be.

 

Many ag export conversations centre on China. But Brent Babb, USSEC regional director, calls out the European Union, the second largest buyer of US soy.

 

"Europe is a mature market, and a lot of people hear all these negatives—they don't like GMO (genetically modified organisms). They're not eating as much animal protein. But the truth of the matter is, for years, they've been using 30 million tonnes of soy. So they're the world's second largest importer of GMO."

 

The EU purchases slightly more than Mexico, and Egypt generally comes in fourth.

 

The question is where is the opportunity for growth? Where is the puck sliding?

 

Among others, USSEC points to North African countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

 

"Three countries maybe you don't hear a lot about, but combined, they can buy one million tonnes of US soy—so an important market," Babb says. "And Morocco is a big soybean meal importer: 400,000 tonnes of US soy and that's about 70% market share."

 

A recent USSEC visit to North Africa was particularly promising.

 

"They're ready. They're starting to make money," Babb says. "They keep investing. So we're seeing that growth continue."

 

-      Farm Progress