A broad sampling of Romanian and Bulgarian feed industry members was reached during a March 26^th event, “USSEC Soy Quality and Profits Seminar,” held in Bucharest, Romania. USSEC buyers, quality control managers, feed formulators and nutritionists heard a clear, comprehensive message about the quality of U.S. Soy.
USSEC Animal Utilization Consultant – Romania Dr. Iani Chihaia and USSEC consultant Dr. Jan van Eys gave presentations that focused on specific aspects of soybeans and meal quality and its advantages for feed production and formulation of feed products. Special attention was paid to differences in origin, notably U.S. Soy versus Brazilian or Argentinian soybean meal or full fat soybean meal.
“Over 30 Romanian and Bulgarian industry people, primarily representatives of the feed industry attended the USSEC seminar with great interest. Thanks to these kinds of events organized by USSEC, we have access to the latest technical and soy market information,” said Cristian Betenchi, the director of Elcomex Feed Mill, one of the new feed mills that opened in 2013 in Romania.
“The ‘USSEC Soy Quality and Profits’ seminar and the communication around these topics were very useful for us and we have gotten a clear and comprehensible message: U.S. Soy is nutritionally and economically advantageous relative to other origins,” Mr. Betechi added.
Dr. Chihaia said, “The quality of the attendance as background and professional activities was excellent, which showed a good interest in the soy quality issue. It was clear that the general opinion was very positive and that the attendees clearly agree with the fact that there are differences in soy products on the basis of origin with U.S. Soy products being superior to other origins. In due time – and as markets increase in importance and openness – this should translate as increased demand for U.S. Soy and soybean meal.”
Prior to the event, the USSEC consultants visited Banvit and Combial, key integrated feed milling companies, and soy customers, located in southern Romania and a Swiss Brown dairy farm in order to get in touch with the current status of the feed and livestock industries.
“The individual meetings with feed millers, farms and researchers/research institutes were informative and allowed us to get a better understanding of the Romanian feed and livestock actual reality and potential for progress and expansion. It clearly showed the opportunities and potential that exists in this particular market for growth in livestock production and – consequently – the use of U.S. Soy products. Continuous promotional efforts to accompany the growth of this market and positioning of U.S. products in this market are recommended,” said Dr. van Eys.
The activity ended with a visit to the National Animal Nutrition Research Institute in Balotesti, Ilfov County, which is the oldest animal nutrition institute established in Europe, dating to 1893.