China Ambassador and U.S. ag industry reaffirm shared responsibility and importance of innovation and collaboration at USSEC-CFNA Sustainable Agriculture Trade Forum, and U.S. Soy Farm Visit

Des Moines, U.S.A, October 24, 2023: Several Chinese agriculture companies and U.S. commodity exporter companies signed 11 purchasing agreements/contracts at the China-U.S. Sustainable Agricultural Trade Forum and Contract Signing Ceremony co-organized by U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-products (CFNA), Iowa Soybean Association, and U.S. Grains Council on the eve of the World Food Prize Foundation’s 2023 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A.

Among the companies that signed 11 purchasing contracts/agreements were ADM with Bohi Industry, ADM with China Agri, ADM with Fuzhiyuan Feed Protein (Wilmar International), Bunge with Sinograin Oil, Cargill with Sinograin Oil, CHS with Bohi Enterprises, CHS with Sinograin Oil, COFCO International with China Agri, COFCO Agri with Zennoh Grain, Shenzhen Gem with Hangtung Resources, and Zennoh Grain with Bohi Industry.

Ambassador Xie Feng, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the U.S.A. shared, “People are the foundation of a nation, and food is a paramount importance. The China-U.S. agricultural cooperation is a rich land with bright prospects. China is the world’s largest importer of U.S. agriculture exports. The contracts signed today are multiple billions in value. Let us sow more seeds of cooperation on the fields of hope.”

Acting Deputy Under Secretary, USDA Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Jason Hafemeister said, “These contracts illustrate the gains from trade: food is moving from surplus regions to deficit; the confidence behind these contracts allows U.S. producers to invest where we have agriculture advantages; and this relationship will help foster innovation needed to sustainably intensify production to deliver nutrition and food security sustainably.”

Jim Sutter, CEO of U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and Chair of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) said, “The collaboration between China and U.S. Soy continues to deliver food and nutrition security, and economic growth for consumers, companies and producers in China and the U.S. Sustainable agriculture production and trade are impact multipliers. China has been masterful at leveraging trade to achieve local food security and economic growth. We strive to maintain this stable and mutually beneficial collaboration cooperation between China and U.S. Soy as the ballast for successful bilateral economic and trade relations.”

Cao Derong, President of CFNA said, “I believe that China-US economic cooperation will be further strengthened and produce more achievements with our joint efforts in the future.”

On Sunday, China’s Ambassador Xie and the Chinese industry delegation visited the Kimberley farm in Maxwell, Iowa, U.S.A. witnessed U.S. Soy’s sustainable and precision agriculture practices first-hand. In 2012, the Kimberly family hosted then-Vice President Xi Jinping. 

The Sustainable Agriculture Trade Forum was also attended by Ambassador Terry Branstad, President, World Food Prize Foundation; Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation; Governor Bob Holden, Chairman & President, U.S. Heartland China Association; Stan Born, Chairman of USSEC; Dawn Scheier, Board Secretary of USSEC; Xiaoping Zhang, Regional Director of USSEC Greater China; April Hemmes, United Soybean Board Director; Kirk Leeds, CEO, Iowa Soybean Association; Grant Kimberley, Senior Director of Market Development, Iowa Soybean Association; Chen Ying, Director of Cereals & Oils Dept., CFNA; Cary B. Sifferath, VP, U.S. Grains Council; Dr. Chad Hart, Ag. Economist from Iowa State University, and several other dignitaries from both countries.

China is the world and Asia’s most populous country, and the world’s second largest economy. China is the world’s number one soy consumer, and the number one importer of U.S. Soy, which enables its world leading aquaculture, animal nutrition, egg, edible oil, pork, soy- and plant-based food sectors. Soybeans continue to be the United States’ number one food and agricultural export to China U.S. Soy has collaborated with China since 1982.

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This press release was funded by U.S. Soy farmers, their checkoff and the soy value chain.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Samuel                                                                            Beatrice Lian Miao

Director of Global Communications                              Communications Lead – Greater China

U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)                          U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)

+1.636.449.6400  I  CSamuel@ussec.org                  +86.134.3969.8520 I MLian@ussec.org

About U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) focuses on differentiating, building preference, and elevating market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 80+ countries internationally. USSEC members represent the soy supply chain including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations. USSEC is funded by the U.S. soybean checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) matching funds, and industry. Please visit www.ussec.org or follow USSEC on Linkedin for the latest information, resources, and news about USSEC and U.S. Soy internationally.