Back

Soy Growers Host Farm Visit, Port Tour for Chinese Officials

Sep 24, 2015

IMG_8521

ASA Chairman Ray Gaesser participated in a contract signing ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa, organized with USSEC and Iowa Soybean Association. At the event, China signed contracts or purchase intentions for 13.18 million metric tons of soybeans in the 2015-16 marketing year. Photo credit: USSEC 

 

With President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington, D.C. this week, soy growers were on hand to welcome other Chinese officials to the United States with two events.

On Tuesday, American Soybean Association (ASA) President Wade Cowan joined U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), United Soybean Board (USB), and U.S. Grains Council leaders to host Chinese Agricultural Minister Han Changfu to a port tour and farm visit near New Orleans, La.

“We had great interaction with Minister Han,” Cowan said. “The minister was very engaged and interested in American farmers and the challenges we face. He wants to understand the similarities and differences in methods used between Chinese and U.S. producers. I believe an improved working relationship will come from his trip to the U.S.”

On Thursday, ASA Chairman Ray Gaesser participated in a contract signing ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa, organized with USSEC and Iowa Soybean Association.  At the event, China signed contracts or purchase intentions for 13.18 million metric tons of soybeans in the 2015-16 marketing year. According to USSEC, that’s, $5.3 billion worth of U.S. soy, totaling more than 484 million bushels.