USSEC South Asia Trade Team Engages with U.S. Soy Industry on Sustainability at Soy Connext 2025
U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) South Asia Trade Team Explores U.S. Soy Industry and Sustainability at Soy Connext 2025 – Ricky Thaper (www.rickythaper.com)
Iowa State & Washington DC, USA – August 16–22, 2025: The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Trade Team from South Asia conducted an extensive visit to the U.S. soybean industry, exploring advanced production, sustainability practices, and international trade opportunities. The tour concluded with the participation at Soy Connext 2025, the global flagship summit organized by USSEC in Washington DC, USA.
August 16-19, 2025– Iowa State: On August 16, the delegation began with a briefing by Mr. Kevin Roepke, Regional Director for South Asia & Sub-Saharan Africa, USSEC, outlining the objectives of the tour focused on U.S. Soy awareness and global market insights. Mr. Kevin highlighted that Iowa ranks #1 in egg production and #2 in soybean production in the USA. He informed the dekegates that U.S. has Aprox. 550,000 soybean farmers, with USSEC at present actively engaged in over 90 countries around the Globe.
Later the team visited Schnell Family Farm, hosted by Mr. Riley Schnell (5th generation farmer having 800 acres of family land) and Ms. Cori Schneill, observing large-scale soybean and corn operations. Ms. Karen Long, Market Development Project Manager, Iowa Soybean Association, briefed delegates on local farming practices and collaboration with USSEC. Mr. Franklin Manuel, Country Team Lead-India, USSEC emphasized the value of observing U.S. Soy quality, logistics and sustainable cultivation practices to the visiting delegation
August 17, 2025 – Des Moines, Iowa: On August 17, delegates had the privilege of meeting Ms. Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa, along with Mr. Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, and Mr. Gary Wynne, Agriculture and Energy Policy Advisor. Mr. Kevin Roepke briefed the Governor on the delegation’s objectives, highlighting insights into U.S. soybean production, logistics, and industry partnerships. Governor Reynolds shared Iowa’s agricultural significance, noting that the state produces 10% of total U.S. crops with only 1% of the population. She added that Iowa State is agriculture friendly and business friendly.
August 18, 2025 – Des Moines, Iowa: On August 18, the team visited Insta-Pro International, engaging with Mr. Jonathan Kingsbury (President & CEO), Ms. Tori S. (Marketing Director), Mr. Adam Sackett (Global Sales Director), Mr. Karl S. Arnold (VP Marketing & Sales), and Dr. Janeth Colina Rivero, Ph.D., Nutrition Research. Delegates observed soy processing technology, R&D facilities, and global applications of Insta-Pro’s equipment. Ms. Tori Sorensen briefed the delegates that that Insta-Pro International has all capacity extruders and their soy processing equipment is designed with simplicity and scalability in mind for optimal user experience, allowing a growing business to expand further. The delegates were given the tour of their Research and Development facilities and factory.
Later the delegates visited the Iowa Soybean Association, interacting with Mr. Brent Swart (President), Mr. Tom Adam (President Elect), Mr. Sam Showalter (Secretary), Mr. Lee Brooke (Treasurer), and Mr. Scot Bailey (At Large Executive Committee). Discussions covered sustainable farming, quality standards, and collaborative research with Iowa State University. Mr. Franklin Manuel highlighted the value of direct engagement with farmers and industry partners in understanding U.S. Soy production and global value.
August 19, 2025 – The delegates visited Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex. Mr. Joshua Black (Assistant Feed Mill Manager) and Mr. A S M Younus Bhuiyan Sabbir (Assistant Grain Center Manager) gave the tour of the complex and briefed the group about their activities.
August 20–22, 2025 – Soy Connext 2025, Washington DC:
From August 20 to 22, 2025, the South Asia Trade Team participated in Soy Connext 2025, the flagship global summit organized by U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) at the Hotel Washington Hilton, USA. The summit brought together 730 delegates from 59 countries, including soy producers, buyers, processors, researchers, policymakers, and sustainability advocates, providing a premier platform for trade, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
August 20, 2025: The first day featured the Soy Excellence Center (SEC) 2025 Top Achiever Recognition Award Ceremony, highlighting outstanding contributions to the global soy industry. The Star Award presentation ceremony was followed by networking sessions and the SEC Global Advisory Panel (GAP) and Regional Advisory Council (RAC) meetings, where delegates actively engaged in discussions on workforce, sustainable soy production, and regional initiatives. Mr. Brent Babb (Incoming SEC Executive Director) and Mr. Jim Sutter (CEO, USSEC) emphasized the SEC’s role in training over 30,000 participants globally since 2019. The Trade Team Invitation (TTI) program was also there, where international buyers, including delegates from around the globe, including our team from South Asia, engaged directly with U.S. exporters to explore new trade opportunities
Post lunch, there was a Press conference for the Media, which was addressed by Mr. Jim Sutter, CEO, USSEC, Ms. Janna Fritz, Chair, USSEC, Mr. Kevin Roepke, Regional Director – SASSA, USSEC and Mr. Xiaoping Zhang, Regional Director, Greater China. This press meet was co-ordinated by Ms. Kerry Kerr, Director-Communications, USSEC. While addressing the Press, Mr. Jim Sutter briefed about USSEC activities and also updated on the United Soybean Board and American Soybean Association. Mr. Sutter updated that USSEC’s focus is on the International market as the US Soy 60% crop is exported, and at present, USSEC is working in 90 countries around the Globe. Ms. Janna Fritz, Chair, USSEC, added We expect an excellent quality crop to be harvested in the coming months following good growing conditions, which ensures our U.S. Soy farmers will continue to deliver superior quality and excellent sustainability performance while the U.S. export industry delivers great reliability. She added that the year 2026 is the International Year of the Women Farmer. Mr. Kevin Roepke, updated to Press that the U.S. Soybean Export Council is focusing on sustainability in food, aquaculture and poultry in South Asia and added that the USA will continue to be one of the largest suppliers of Soybeans to the world. Mr. Kevin Roepke was optimistic about the future increase in demand for US Soy from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Day 2 – August 21, 2025: The second day focused on markets, crops, and sustainability. Mr. Jim Sutter welcomed delegates and emphasized the global importance of U.S. Soy.
Ms. Janna Fritz (Chair, USSEC) provided updates on the U.S. Soy crop outlook and sustainability practices. Key sessions included: Market Awareness, led by Mr. Rodrigo, focusing on global soybean trade dynamics and emerging opportunities. Mr. Luke J. Lindberg, Under Secretary for Trade & Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA, said in his Keynote address that his team is working to advance American agricultural exports, especially Soybeans, around the globe. Everyone wins when we feed people and we feed markets. Post lunch, there were breakout sessions. The day concluded with a networking reception, enabling delegates to meet U.S. exporters, buyers, and global stakeholders.
Day 3 – August 22, 2025: The final day featured keynote addresses, including Ms. Katty Kay (BBC Studios) on global leadership amid geopolitical changes and Mr. Erik Norland (CME Group) on the economic outlook for commodities. Closing remarks by Mr. Jim Sutter, CEO, USSEC, summarised key takeaways: Soy Connext 2025 strengthened global trade partnerships, highlighted U.S. Soy’s leadership in sustainability, innovation, and consistent quality, and provided a platform for networking, collaboration, and direct engagement with global stakeholders. Mr. Jim Sutter announced Soy Connext 2026 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, from August 05–07, 2026.
It was an honour and a privilege for me to participate in this global summit. I am thankful to Mr. Kevin Roepke, Regional Director, SASSA Region, USSEC, Mr. Franklin Manuel, Country Team Lead-India, Mr. KhaBiBur RahMan, Country Team Lead- Bangladesh, Dr. Sushil Silva, Head of Regional Animal Utilization – South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Saram Bokhari, Country Team Lead-Pakistan, Dr. Ashesh Bhattarai, Country Lead-Nepal, Ms. Hibah Ameer, Regional Head of Marketing and Communications, USSEC and all the staff and board members of U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) for giving this opportunity and their commitment in strengthening collaborations that will benefit South Asia’s poultry, aqua, livestock and food sectors.
