International tour introduces growing soy market

Kansas Soybean Commissioners experience soybean use internationally

A group of Kansas Soybean Commissioners toured Morocco during March to see the rapidly-growing soybean market first-hand. Among the tour stops were a feed mill, a poultry processing facility, a dairy, feed lots and small-scale family farms.

The poultry processing and consumption in Morocco creates a strong opportunity for U.S. Soy. Consumption of poultry and eggs is on the rise and the country is home to a number of larger-scale processors. It is a top 10 soybean meal market and poultry utilizes 85% of that meal. With there being minimal soybean crushing within Morocco, soybean meal exports from the U.S. are a major value driver for U.S. Soy.

District 7 Commissioner Gary Robbins, Emmett shared that he believes checkoff dollars are well invested in putting soy in Morocco’s feed mills and the poultry industry, and that the representatives he spoke with truly appreciated good quality soybeans from the U.S.

Commissioner Raylen Phelon, Melvern, reported that new processing plants have been built with a higher capacity in anticipation of growth in the processing industry within Morocco. More growth is good for soybean farmers, he says, as the country will look to import even more soybean meal.

District 8 Commissioner Bob Haselwood, Berryton, noted that the contrast between the old ways of production and the modern production systems was “quite amazing.”

Commissioners also enjoyed immersing themselves in the Moroccan culture and cuisine.

The Commission partnered with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, U.S.A. Poultry and Egg Export Council and U.S. Grain Council to conduct the tour. International tours such as this allow for farmer-leaders to better understand the value of the checkoff working abroad for increased return-on-investment.