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The poultry industry in much of sub-Saharan Africa is restricted in its ability to grow due to high feed costs, and poor farm management practices. WISHH’s USDA funded-project found that the country of Ghana’s national yearly per capita consumption increased to 235 in 2020. As a comparison, U.S. annual per-person consumption of eggs and egg products was 293 in 2019, according to USDA.
WISHH HELPS CATCH NEW FISH & POULTRY FEED MARKETS FOR SOYBEAN MEAL South Dakota soybean growers are helping African fish and chickens get a taste for quality feeds made with soybean meal. “Exploring and expanding diverse new markets is an important step to create demand for South Dakota soybeans,” says Dawn Scheier who serves on the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program Committee (ASA/WISHH). “Aquaculture is just one of those new feed markets that WISHH is developing in Asia as well as Africa.” Yet, there are no easy shortcuts to trailblaze trade, especially in developing and emerging economies. Market diversification, including partnerships with African food and feed entrepreneurs, is more important than ever so WISHH is hard at work in developing countries. Visionary soybean growers founded WISHH 20 years ago when they recognized that fast-growing populations and economies in Africa would require more protein. Aquaculture and poultry feeds are a top priority for WISHH’s 2021 focus in West Africa. In aquaculture, WISHH is leading a feasibility study of a new fish feed mill to supply several of the French-speaking countries in West Africa. The aquaculture industry, like the poultry industry in much of sub-Saharan Africa, 32
is restricted in its ability to grow due to high feed costs and poor farm management practices. WISHH is working to address these limitations and build additional markets for U.S. soy. Using USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion funding, WISHH commissioned an African aquaculture expert to evaluate the regional demand for fish feed, analyze distribution channels, and assess the region’s ability to develop into a significant aquaculture producer. The study started in April and completion is expected in September. A WISHH strategic partner will then use study results to make feed mill investment decisions that will boost the aquaculture industry in the region. WISHH is also mentoring this company’s staff on business management and more by having them participate in WISHH’s USB-funded Mobilizing Entrepreneurs to Expand U.S. Soy Utilization in Developing and Emerging Markets Initiative. WISHH’s West African poultry development work includes cooperation with the third-largest poultry producer in Senegal. The company’s CEO believes that vertical integration is key to Summer Issue 2021
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