ASA-IM China Hosts First U.S. Food Grade Soybean Trade Show and Seminar

March 16, 2007 - U.S. food grade soybeans from farm to plate were the focus of two days of plant tours, retail visits, seminars and trade shows in Shenzhen and Shanghai, China, on March 12 and 13, 2007. This first ever event of its kind held in China was organized to help improve market opportunities for U.S. food grade soybeans among leading food processors in China.

USSEC member companies The Seed Company Inc., SB&B Foods, SunOpta Grains and Food Group, NeCo Seeds and the Missouri Soybean Association participated, introducing their companies and holding individual sales meetings with soyfood producers and importers. ASA Director Andy Welden and Dr. Dennis Thompson of The Illinois Crop Improvement Association also participated in the events.

The seminars and trade shows were attended by more than 100 soy industry leaders in Shenzhen and Shanghai. U.S. delegates toured a Shenzhen Sam's Club, other retail outlets and processing plants in both cities, seeing a wide variety of soy products being produced and offered to consumers.

Dr. Dennis Thompson of the Illinois Crop Improvement Association,USSEC member Welly Chen of SB&B Foods, China Deputy Director Zhang Xio Ping and ASA Director Andy Welden examine Chinese soybeans currently being used to make soyfood products.

USSEC member company NeCo Seeds representative Ted Wu meets with buyers in Shanghai