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International Trade Partnerships Build Global Soy Demand

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U.S. soybean farmers are working to build new demand for soybeans by partnering with soybean farmers from South America. Their objective is to work together to increase market potential for soy and improve soybean farmer profitability by removing trade barriers and improving market access.

To date, two Global Grower Development Agreements have been signed, the first between USSEC and the Paraguayan Chamber of Cereals & Oilseeds Exporters (CAPECO) and Paraguayan Soybean, Oilseeds and Cereals Producer Association (APS). A second agreement was signed between USSEC and the Argentinean Soybean Chain Association (ACSOJA). Farmer-leaders from the United Soybean Board (USB) and American Soybean Association (ASA) were on hand to endorse both agreements.

The agreement will broadly promote the development and use of soybeans as a valuable commodity that advances the interests of its producers, processors and users through product and market development support. Further, the organizations agree to cooperate on resolution of soy trade barriers and restrictions. India is targeted as the first market for cooperation among the growers.

US and South American Soybean Leadership
U.S. and South American farmer leaders met jointly during the USSEC/USB/ASA Annual Strategic Planning Meeting in St. Louis - August 2006.
Left to Right: Mr. Bob Rikli, ASA Trade Policy and International Affairs Chairman; Mr. Curt Raasch, USB Chairman; Dr. Livio Ferruzzi, Paraguay (CAPECO); Mr. Sávio Rafael Pereira, Brazil (General Coordinator of Oilseeds and Fibers/Ministry of Agriculture); Eng. Ricardo Arioli Silva, Brazil  (Vice Director Administration Agro Engineer-APROSOJA); Ing. Dolores Rodriguez Pareja, Argentina (ADECO);  Mr. Miguel Calvo, Argentina (Vice President-ACSOJA); Ing. Alejandro Lopez Moriena, Argentina (ADECO); Mr. Benny Cooper, USB International Marketing Chairman; Mr. Dwain Ford, Former ASA President and Chairman.
The activities of USSEC are made possible by producer checkoff dollars invested by the United Soybean Board and various State Soybean Councils, support from cooperating industry, and through the American Soybean Association's investment of cost-share funding provided by USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service.