St. Louis, Missouri
October 16, 2007
U.S. soybean farmers have had a
record-setting year, thanks in part to their investment in
soybean checkoff international marketing programs. Marketing
year 2006-2007 ended August 31, 2007, with U.S. soybean exports
totaling 1.11 billion bushels.
China retains its title from last year as the number one
importer of U.S. soybeans, importing 420 million bushels during
this past marketing year. This is up from just over 356 million
bushels in the 2005-2006 marketing year. Mexico came in as the
second-largest customer for U.S. soybean farmers, importing 141
million bushels, followed by Japan, which imported 116 million
bushels.
"U.S. soybean farmers are listening and responding to the needs
of international buyers," says Terry Ecker,
United Soybean Board
(USB) International Marketing chair and soybean farmer from
Elmo, Mo. "We realize that these customers are buying more than
just soybeans, they are buying the protein and oil within the
soybeans. It is important that we continue to provide them with
the quality soybeans they expect."
One way the checkoff is working to position U.S. soybean quality
is by funding the annual crop-quality survey. The survey
measures attributes of the current U.S. soybean crop, including
protein and oil content, in soybeans throughout the country.
This survey is widely used by international buyers as a
measuring stick when making purchases from U.S. soybean farmers.
In addition to this year's success, the 2008 marketing year is
looking promising. The year is starting with a record amount of
export commitments - 297 million bushels of U.S. soybeans are
committed to customers abroad. The checkoff is working to
continue to grow new markets for soybeans through building
demand for use in food and aquaculture.
Another innovation aiding in the growth of U.S. soybean exports
is containerized shipping. Shipping soybeans in containers
results in less handling, preserving the quality of U.S.
soybeans during transit. Containerized shipping also allows
overseas buyers to order customizable amounts of soybeans
instead of having to buy bulk shipments.
"It's a good feeling as a U.S. soybean farmer to know that the
product you produce is desired all over the world," says Ecker.
"Although this has been a year for the record books, the
checkoff is already gearing up for next year in hopes of setting
yet another record."
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. |
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