Indiana represented at U.S. Soy Buyers Outlook

GREENSBURG, Ind. — Indiana Soybean Alliance Chair Mike Koehne, a Greensburg farmer, promoted the benefits of U.S. soybeans to buyers in Japan and Korea.

Koehne raises high oleic and food-grade soybeans, some of which are shipped to Japan.

His trip was part of the 2023 U.S. Soy Buyers Outlook Conference Nov. 14-15 in Tokyo and Nov. 16-17 in Seoul. It was hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

Hundreds of crushers, feed millers, soy food processors and soybean buyers participated in the conferences.

“Buyers wanted to know what we do on our farm to ensure there is a quality crop, and there were also some questions about premiums,” Koehne said.

“I told them that food safety starts on our farms, and we go above and beyond to ensure that we deliver a safe and quality product.

“IOM Grain ships some of my soybeans to Japan, and I was able to talk to someone who buys food-grade soybeans from IOM Grain in Japan. That buyer may have purchased some of my soybeans, and the conference gave us an opportunity to make an important connection.”

It’s critical to maintain these markets and relationships as Japan and Korea are some of the top importers of U.S. non-GMO food-grade soybeans, Koehne said.

“We’ve been doing business with these countries for a long time and taking time to travel to these locations shows that we want to continue to do business with them,” he said.

“The Indiana Soybean Alliance goes on trips like this to make connections, maintain relationships and ensure that we’re keeping up with their needs of delivering a safe and quality product.

“ISA invests checkoff dollars on trade and moving that pile, and I believe it makes a difference. We’re investing back into ourselves on these trips and, in my opinion, it’s money well spent.”

Ed Ebert, senior director of market development, said it was a valuable experience with good communication between USSEC staff, U.S. farmers and Japanese and Korean customers.

“Buyers in those countries were reassured that the U.S. soybean supply is adequate with good performance and yields despite some weather challenges,” Ebert said.

“It also gives them confidence to be able to talk with the farmers involved in the production of the food they’re shipped. It helps develop and maintain trust among the buyers of U.S. soybeans.”

It’s important to maintain access to these markets and build trust because we have strong competitors from South America that are also trying to get their business, he said.

For more information, visit incornandsoy.org.