Industry leaders discuss soy demand, sustainability and AI-driven decisions
KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 8
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted its first regional CrushCON event for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region in Dubai on Thursday, bringing together key players from the poultry, aquaculture, edible oil and feed industries.
Held under the theme Connect, Collaborate, Catalyze, the event focused on global trade trends, supply-chain resilience, sustainability and the growing use of artificial intelligence in agriculture. Speakers highlighted a positive outlook for soymeal demand, driven by strong growth in the poultry sector and rising interest in sustainable production, according to the press release issued by the USSEC.
USSEC CEO Jim Sutter said the platform helps deepen relationships with buyers across the region. "CrushCON is the perfect platform to meet our customers, understand their needs, and show the value of U.S. Soy," he said.
According to the USSEC, the MENASA region has emerged as a rapidly expanding market for U.S. soybeans and soy products. Pakistan resumed U.S. soybean imports this year after a two-year halt, reaching 844,000 metric tons so far while, Bangladesh has committed to purchasing USD 1.25 billion worth of U.S. Soy over the next year-2.5 times higher than previous commitments.
In the MENA region, Egypt ranked as the third-largest importer of whole U.S. soybeans in the 2024/25 marketing year, while Morocco became the world's ninth-largest importer of U.S. soybean meal, it noted.
Technical sessions emphasised U.S. Soy's competitive advantages, described as the "4Ds": Drier soybeans, higher digestibility, lower damage, and zero deforestation compared to other origins.
During the event, producers stressed that consistent nutritional quality helps improve animal performance, reduce feed costs and ensure supply reliability.
U.S. farmers also shared details on sustainable farming practices and the Sustainable U.S. Soy Assurance Protocol (SSAP), which verifies that crops are produced with low environmental impact.
The event featured a lineup of international speakers, including U.S. soybean farmers and industry economists, along with leaders from poultry and feed associations in Pakistan, India and Egypt.
Panels explored consumer trends, the shift in protein demand, risks to global supply chains, and opportunities for MENASA markets to expand using high-quality soy inputs.
CrushCON concluded with the message that while markets evolve, U.S. Soy's consistency and reliability continue to support growth across aquaculture, poultry, feed and edible oil industries.