Growing global demand for U.S. Soy

By Blake Jackson

The American Soybean Association (ASA), along with its partners in the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), has received a second round of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) through the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). This funding will be used to expand U.S. soybean exports by diversifying international markets and addressing the growing global demand for protein, contributing to global nutrition security.

“The American Soybean Association and our allied soy groups are exceptionally pleased to be included in the second round of RAPP grants, funding that will continue to open doors for U.S. agriculture exports in emerging markets. Soy is proud to be our country’s #1 ag export, but that does not mean we can sit idle: We pride ourselves on finding innovative, collaborative ways to tap and expand markets for our high-protein, high-quality beans and remain relevant in an increasingly competitive global field. This second round of RAPP funding will bolster U.S. Soy’s existing efforts and our own financial commitments to expand in promising regions, including Africa, Latin America and Asia. We thank Secretary Vilsack and the administration for their ongoing support of U.S. farmers and helping us grow and diversify our markets.” said Caleb Ragland, ASA president and soy farmer from Magnolia, Kentucky.

“The RAPP program has quickly demonstrated its critical and timely value, and we commend Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and USDA FAS for their strategic and visionary work in creating it,” said Lance Rezac, USSEC chair and Kansas farmer. “The addition of Europe as a targeted region in the RAPP 2 program further supports USSEC’s longstanding work and mission to diversify markets and grow exports for U.S. soybean farmers. With this award, USSEC is able to broaden our reach into new and high potential early-stage markets, implement innovative approaches to unlocking new demand, and further enhance our marketing and promotion programs worldwide.”

“Strategic use of RAPP funding is enabling WISHH to expand poultry best management trainings and technology transfer in key markets in West Africa, building resilient value chains that are critical to enabling trade for U.S. Soy, as well as supporting our work in South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and other parts of Africa,” said WISHH Chair Morey Hill. “Trade promotion programs are essential for U.S. soybean farmers to grow market access, add regional capacity in emerging markets, and address technical barriers to entry. We appreciate the support of USDA FAS and Secretary Vilsack and look forward to leveraging the funding toward further advancement of the WISHH mission to develop agricultural value chains in emerging markets, creating trade and long-term demand for U.S. Soy.”

Overall, the RAPP 2 funding will play a key role in strengthening U.S. soybean exports, ensuring farmers have access to new markets, and supporting the long-term growth of the global agricultural value chain.

Photo Credit: istock-oticki