Soy Connext 2026 Highlights a New Era for U.S. Soybean Exports Through Global Market Diversification
Chicago, USA — More than 800 participants from across the global soybean value chain gathered in Chicago this week as the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) opened Soy Connext 2026, its flagship international conference. The event comes at a pivotal moment for global agricultural trade, with U.S. soybean exports expected to recover after a challenging year shaped by geopolitical tensions and shifting market dynamics.
At the center of this year’s conference is a clear message: market diversification is no longer a supporting strategy—it is the foundation of the future growth of U.S. Soy.
A Stronger Export Outlook
According to USSEC, total U.S. soybean exports—including whole soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil—are projected to increase by 5% during the 2026/27 marketing year. This anticipated growth is supported by expanding demand across global markets, alongside the gradual normalization of U.S.-China trade relations.
Speaking during the opening media conference, USSEC CEO Jim Sutter noted that independent market forecasts project global soybean import demand to increase from 247 million metric tons today to 319 million metric tons by 2034. The growth will be fueled by rising populations, economic development, and increasing demand for affordable animal protein, particularly across developing regions.
“The world needs more protein and more oil for decades to come,” Sutter said. “This isn’t a shrinking pie—it’s a bigger one, and U.S. Soy is built to lead it.”
Competing on Value, Not Price
Throughout the conference, USSEC emphasized that the competitive strength of U.S. Soy extends far beyond price.
According to Jim Sutter, U.S. Soy offers higher digestibility and energy value, allowing livestock and aquaculture producers to achieve better animal performance despite similar crude protein levels compared to competing origins.
He also highlighted three pillars that differentiate U.S. Soy globally:
- Quality, delivering consistent nutritional performance.
- Sustainability, verified through the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) and represented by the Sustainable U.S. Soy trademark, now appearing on more than 1,200 products across 22 countries.
- Reliability, supported by an extensive logistics network of highways, railways, inland waterways, barges, and export terminals that ensure dependable supply.
Rather than competing solely on commodity prices, USSEC positions U.S. Soy as a premium ingredient that provides long-term value for feed manufacturers and food producers.
Egypt Emerges as a Strategic Growth Market
One of the most notable developments highlighted during Soy Connext 2026 is Egypt’s rapid rise among the world’s leading importers of U.S. soybeans.
According to USDA-FAS trade data presented during the conference, Egypt is on track to become one of the top three export destinations for U.S. whole soybeans, reflecting the country’s growing importance within global agricultural trade.
This growth mirrors the continued expansion of Egypt’s poultry, livestock, and aquaculture industries, all of which rely on high-quality soybean products as a primary source of protein in animal feed.
When asked about USSEC’s future plans in the Middle East, particularly Egypt, Jim Sutter described Egypt as one of the strongest strategic partners.
He explained that USSEC intends to continue supporting Egypt’s rapidly growing poultry and aquaculture sectors by ensuring a reliable supply of U.S. soybeans while strengthening technical cooperation across the industry.
“Our goal is to continue supporting the industry in every way we can,” Sutter said, highlighting that Egypt represents one of the most successful examples of long-term partnership between U.S. soybean farmers and the country’s feed and animal production sectors.
Building Aquaculture Through Knowledge
Beyond soybean trade, USSEC is investing heavily in capacity building across the aquaculture value chain.
Sutter pointed to the success of the Soy Excellence Centers (SEC) in Egypt, describing them as one of USSEC’s most impactful initiatives in the region.
Working alongside Cairo University, WorldFish, and the Egyptian Poultry Association, the Soy Excellence Centers have trained and reached nearly 20,000 students and professionals over the past six years.
These centers provide practical education in feed manufacturing, animal nutrition, poultry production, aquaculture management, and sustainable agriculture, helping develop the next generation of industry professionals.
For Egypt’s aquaculture sector—which has become Africa’s largest producer of farmed fish—developing technical expertise is becoming just as important as securing high-quality feed ingredients. By investing in people alongside products, USSEC aims to strengthen the entire value chain, from feed mills to fish farms.
Recognizing Excellence Through the STAR Awards
One of the highlights of Soy Connext each year is the presentation of the Soy Excellence Top Achievers Recognition (STAR) Awards, which celebrate outstanding graduates and professionals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement through the Soy Excellence Centers program.
The awards recognize individuals who have successfully applied their training to improve livestock and aquaculture production, strengthen feed industries, advance research, and contribute to sustainable agricultural development in their respective countries.
The STAR Awards reflect USSEC’s broader commitment to investing not only in markets, but also in people. By recognizing future leaders, the organization reinforces the importance of education, innovation, and technical excellence in meeting the world’s growing demand for food.
Aquaculture at the Center of Future Protein Production
Aquaculture featured prominently throughout discussions at Soy Connext 2026 as one of the fastest-growing users of soybean meal worldwide.
As global seafood demand continues to increase, sustainable aquaculture production depends on consistent supplies of high-quality feed ingredients. Soybean meal remains one of the most important protein sources in aquafeeds because of its nutritional quality, availability, and scalability.
USSEC views aquaculture not simply as another export market, but as a strategic partner in addressing future global food security. By combining reliable soybean supply with technical training, research partnerships, and feed innovation, the organization aims to support sustainable growth in fish farming across emerging markets.
Countries such as Egypt, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines continue to demonstrate how expanding aquaculture industries are driving long-term demand for U.S. Soy.
Demand Continues to Expand Worldwide
Beyond Egypt, Soy Connext highlighted encouraging trends across multiple regions.
Mexico remains one of the largest destinations for U.S. soybeans, while exports continue to perform strongly in Japan, Indonesia, South Asia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The European Union has also significantly increased soybean meal imports as demand for animal feed continues to grow.
According to USSEC, exports to markets outside China have increased by 9%, building on the previous year’s record performance, demonstrating that diversification is producing tangible results.
A Positive Supply Outlook
Global soybean demand continues to outpace production growth, creating favorable conditions for exporters.
USDA projections indicate that the United States is expected to harvest a record soybean crop of approximately 4.5 billion bushels, with planted soybean acreage increasing by 5% this season. Historically, between 50% and 60% of the U.S. soybean crop is exported, and USDA forecasts exports will account for 54% of production in both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 marketing years.
Meanwhile, expanding domestic crushing capacity is expected to increase soybean meal availability for international livestock and aquaculture markets.
Soy Connext: Building Partnerships Beyond Trade
While commercial discussions remain central to Soy Connext, the conference extends far beyond buying and selling.
This year’s program brings together international buyers, exporters, farmers, researchers, feed manufacturers, aquaculture specialists, and policymakers through technical sessions, sustainability forums, business matchmaking meetings, and farm visits showcasing U.S. soybean production.
Representatives from 67 countries, including around 400 international buyers and more than 30 Chinese customers, are participating, reflecting renewed confidence in U.S. Soy and the strength of its global partnerships.
Soy Connext 2026 demonstrates how global agricultural trade is evolving beyond traditional commodity exports. Diversification, sustainability, technical cooperation, and investment in human capital are becoming the defining characteristics of future international partnerships.
As global demand for protein continues to rise, the future of U.S. Soy will depend not only on producing more soybeans, but on building trusted partnerships that help strengthen food systems, support sustainable aquaculture, and prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Soy Connext 2026 Highlights a New Era for U.S. Soybean Exports Through Global Market Diversification
