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United Soybean Board leader bullish on exports

An Iowa farmer and United Soybean Board leader is bullish on U.S. soybean exports.

April Hemmes of Hampton chairs USB’s Demand Action Team and says she recently attended a signing ceremony where Chinese importers announced bulk purchases of U.S. soybeans.

“They had ADM, Bunge, and Cargill were all there signing, and (China is) such a huge (market). I mean, they buy like 60 percent of the soybeans that we export and a lot of the corn, so we cannot ignore them as trading partners.”

She tells Brownfield foreign buyers see the value of soybeans grown in the U.S.

“They recognize and realize the high quality of crops that we provide, so all around the world export (markets) are realizing that. And they’re turning to the U.S. for those high-quality crops.”

There’s been an uptick in Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans as China attempts to secure supplies while the U.S. harvest winds down and South American planting picks up.