U.S. soybean farmers remain on top when it comes to international markets, as the U.S. hits another year as the top exporter and producer of soybeans. In the 2004-2005 marketing year, the United States exported 1.1billion bushels of soybeans and meal and oil form another 259 million bushels of soybeans. This continues a positive upward trend, increasing from 888 million bushels of soybeans and 194 million bushels of meal in the previous year.

U.S. soybean exports continue to be incredibly strong in China, which was again the top export market, buying 435 million bushels of soybeans from the United States. This was up from 302 million bushels in 2003-2004. Mexico was the number one export market for U.S. soybean meal and oil.

“We hear so much about South America competition, but now it’s time for U.S. soybean farmers to celebrate. ” says Benny Cooper, USB International Marketing Chair and soybean farmer from Kevil, Ky. “We are still the number one soybean exporter in the world, and our checkoff is working hard to keep us strong as ever.”

Part of staying number one is evolving the checkoff’s position in international markets. That’s why the United Soybean Board (USB) and American Soybean Association joined forces to create the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).

“Considering how unbelievably competitive the global market is, building a brand preference for U.S. soybeans and soybean products is the only way we are going to remain number one,” says Mark Pietz, USSEC interim co-chairman and soybean farmer from Lakefield, Minn. “Now we, as farmers, have our checkoff, our association and even the entire soybean industry working together to maximize export opportunities.”

Looking around the globe, the checkoff is impacting demand all over. Soy flour is the ingredient of choice for tortillas in Mexico, noodles in Southeast Asia and Arabic bread in the Middle East, all thanks to checkoff efforts on the ground with manufacturers. Soybean oil remains the number one vegetable oil consumed around the globe, with a 78 percent increase in U.S. soy oil exports last year alone.

There are reasons to be excited about the future, too. Soyfoods continue to gain popularity around the globe and the United States has a 55 percent market share of total soybeans consumed for food. The Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and India have a surging aquaculture industry. This is the third year the soybean checkoff has funded feeding demonstrations in those countries to ensure that U.S. soybean meal is the preferred feed for their fish and shrimp.

“We still have a lot to do to meet customer demands and make sure our international customers continue to prefer U.S. soybeans,” says Cooper. “Whether it’s selecting varieties that hit the 19 percent oil, 35 percent protein level or funding technical consultants through our checkoff, we as farmers can control our future.”

The USB is made up of 64 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Customer Information Act, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.