Builds Future Demand For U.S. Soybeans

The American Soybean Association announces the opening of its Asia Subcontinent Office in India and the appointment of Virgil Miedema as Regional Director, Asia Subcontinent. ASA President David Erickson said, "This area of the world offers many challenges and opportunities for ASA to enhance the marketability of US soybeans and soybean meal." India is a major competitor to the US soybean industry in the Asian markets, exporting nearly 90 percent of its domestic soybean meal production. The ASA/Asia Subcontinent Office is the Association's 13th International Marketing Office and will be located in New Delhi, India.

Mr. Miedema worked for the Agency for International Development as Director of their Program and Project Support Office in Jakarta, Indonesia. He brings over twenty years of international experience in the Asian Subcontinent to the ASA.

ASA Division Director for Asia Gil Griffis said, "The Asia Subcontinent Office is ASA's first International Marketing office which will be fully funded by the United Soybean Board." ASA's activities to expand international markets for US soybeans and products are made possible by producer checkoff dollars invested by the United Soybean Board and by various state soybean councils. ASA also receives cost-share funding provided by the US Department of Agriculture.