News

ISA continues market development efforts

A farmer-director with the Iowa Soybean Association says the industry continues to seek new export opportunities.

At-large director Brent Renner, a farmer from Klemme, says China’s interest in U.S. whole beans has leveled off due to declining population growth and increased whole bean export competition from Brazil.

“We’re really focused on growing markets,” he said. “They might be smaller, but we’re trying to go to those smaller markets and bushel up on those as China trade seems to be moving more towards Brazil. We’re not giving up on China, but we’re definitely trying to not put all our eggs in one basket.”

He tells Brownfield a broad soy export portfolio is critical to sustained growth.

“There are certain things that are out of our control,” Renner said. “But what we can control is a higher quality product, making sure we educate these markets across the world on differentiating ourselves.”

Renner says many countries have proclaimed the superior quality of U.S. soybeans.

He made his comments on a recent episode of The Soybean Bulletin, a content partnership between Brownfield and the Iowa Soybean Association. The full segment can be viewed below.