MoU signifies shared goals of trade, sustainability, innovation

ST. LOUIS, MO — June 30, 2025 — The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) commemorated three decades of partnership between U.S. Soy and Vietnam with milestones including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a keystone conference. The events highlighted the strength of the countries’ enduring relationship and its role in supporting Vietnam’s food, feed, and livestock sectors.

The agreement aims to strengthen trade ties, foster industry collaboration, and enhance awareness of U.S. Soy sustainability programs such as the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP).

The MoU was signed by USSEC and the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture Development in Vietnam, a unit under Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. U.S. Soy farmers Tim Bardole, USSEC Director from Iowa, and Jim Martin, American Soybean Association Director from Illinois, joined the delegation supporting it.

“Vietnam’s agricultural sector is committed to sustainable development and enhancing the competitiveness of our domestic industries,” said Hoang Trung, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Vietnam. “This MoU with USSEC underscores our shared determination to build a reliable, transparent, and forward-looking supply chain—one that supports our economic and environmental goals while meeting growing demand for high-quality food and feed ingredients.”

Timothy Loh, USSEC Regional Director – S.E. Asia & Oceania, added, “The MoU marks a pivotal moment in the long-standing relationship between U.S. Soy and Vietnam. Through this collaboration, we look forward to strengthening supply chain connectivity and reinforcing our shared commitment to sustainability.”

This MoU is the latest in a series reaffirming the two countries’ shared commitment to mutually beneficial trade. During a trade mission co-sponsored by USSEC earlier in June, Do Duc Duy, Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment, signed MoUs with USSEC members and other companies to purchase more than $1.4 billion in U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans, corn, wheat, meat, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and timber. 

During the conference, “USSEC 30th Anniversary in Vietnam: Sustainable Solutions with U.S. Soy,” agribusiness leaders, government officials, and sustainability advocates from across Southeast Asia emphasized shared goals in climate-smart agriculture, responsible sourcing, and supply chain resilience.

As Southeast Asia’s third-largest U.S. Soy market, Vietnam imported an estimated 2.2 million metric tons (MMT) of whole soybeans and 5.9 MMT of soybean meal in marketing year 2023/24¹. U.S. Soy plays a critical role in supporting Vietnam’s pork, poultry, aquaculture, and soybean oil industries, which are modernizing rapidly to meet growing demand from a rising middle class.

The anniversary of U.S. Soy’s partnership with Vietnam aligns with the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two nations. Agricultural trade has been a cornerstone of this broader relationship, advancing food security, sustainability, and economic resilience on both sides.

USSEC remains committed to strengthening supply chain connectivity and delivering sustainable solutions across Vietnam’s agri-food system.

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This press release is funded in part by the soy checkoff.

About the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC):
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) focuses on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining 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 soy checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service matching funds, and industry. Visit ussec.orgfor the latest information and newsabout USSEC and U.S. Soy internationally.

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