The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA) hosted the U.S.-China Agricultural Trade Cooperation Forum during the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. A U.S. Agricultural Trade Delegation to China participated in the event to promote open communication and enhance cooperation in agricultural trade and economy between China and the United States.
Leaders of major agricultural associations, including USSEC, USGC, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), U.S. Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) and others, U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, leaders of the relevant departments of the Chinese and U.S. governments, heads of China's agricultural trade associations and enterprises, as well as experts and scholars in the trade of agricultural products from the U.S. and China were invited to discuss the consolidation and expansion of agricultural trade between China and the U.S. for the benefit of the industry and citizens of both countries.
As two of the major agricultural countries in the world, China and the U.S. have a strong complementary relationship in agriculture, especially as it relates to cooperation in soy trade. According to the Agricultural Projections report, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is expected that by marketing year (MY) 2033/34, the U.S. is expected to increase soybean exports to 58.1 million tons, an increase of 10.9% compared with MY 2024/25, and China's total imports of soybeans will continue to grow in the next ten years, from 104.1 million tons to 138.3 million tons[1]. Soybeans play a key role in the agricultural trade between the U.S. and China, and the stability of its supply chain is of strategic significance to the agricultural development and economic stability of the two nations.
Jim Sutter, USSEC CEO expressed his expectations for the outlook of U.S.-China ag trade, stating, "Throughout history, agriculture has been a driver of strong international relations, and an example to other industries. U.S. Soy, together with many other grains and commodity groups, has a rich legacy of positive trade relations with China. And China is a critically important trading partner for U.S. Soy and I’m optimistic that the strength of our relationship will remain and continue to evolve and grow."
This year, the U.S.-China Agricultural Trade Cooperation Forum was held during the CIIE, which provides an excellent platform to facilitate communication and dialogue with government departments, partners and the industry. Additionally, USSEC took the lead in organizing a U.S. agricultural trade delegation to participate in the CIIE.
As an exhibitor in CIIE, USSEC organized several soybean procurement and cooperation signing ceremonies, which are expected to help U.S. and China partners achieve agricultural trade cooperation. At the same time, USSEC also organized related enterprises to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Sustainable U.S. Soy logo. The USSEC booth featured an immersive virtual reality experience that allowed guests to “visit” a U.S. soybean farm to see how the crop grows. Another booth highlight was cooking demonstrations that featured U.S. Soy-based ingredients in recipes.
This news release is funded in part by the soy checkoff.
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