SOY SPOTLIGHT Meat, poultry and egg sales boost soy utilization and sales BY BETHANY BARATTA
U
.S. soybeans are not only sold to global customers via whole beans or crushed soybean meal, but to U.S. meat, poultry and egg producers. Soy packs a powerful protein punch, which makes it a preferred choice for livestock growers domestically and abroad. The Iowa Soybean Association’s investments through various partnerships help reach more customers globally, thus sharing the soybean story and ultimately selling more soybeans. Mac Marshall, vice president of market intelligence for the United Soybean Board (USB) and U.S. Soy Export Council, says these investments grow global opportunities. “We enjoy strong market share as a provider of soybeans, soy meal and oil because we made the early-stage
investment to market, promote and teach — to have the knowledge transfer and capacity building,” he says. Through the “Dare to Compare” marketing campaign, the world is learning about the value U.S. soy delivers with its nutritional profile, sustainability and other characteristics. “We’ve had success showcasing U.S. soy to nutritionists, formulators and buyers in overseas markets by demonstrating that U.S.-origin soybeans or soybean meal provides superior animal performance,” Marshall says.
‘Gobbling up soy’ The largest user of U.S. soybean products is the livestock industry, according to USB, with the poultry sector gobbling up more than half of U.S. soybeans each year.
Iowa is the largest egg-producing state in the nation. Iowa’s poultry and egg exports translate into 2.1 million bushels of soybeans, according to the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC). In the U.S., domestic usage by the poultry and egg industry reached more than 1 billion bushels. The U.S. poultry industry exported more than 4 million metric tons of poultry and egg products in 2020, equivalent to 148 million soybean bushels. “Increasing demand for poultry outside of the United States creates opportunity for both U.S. poultry and egg exports as well as local poultry production, which creates opportunity and demand for U.S. soybeans,” says Jim Sumner, USAPEEC president and CEO. “A rising tide floats all boats.” (Continued on Page 22)
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