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Ohio Soybean Farmer Advocates for International Markets to Boost Trade

Ohio Soybean Farmer Advocates for International Markets to Boost Trade


A longstanding farming tradition spans almost 150 years in Clark County, Ohio. Within this community, soybean farmers like Bob Suver prioritize sustainable practices to safeguard soil and water quality. Suver, a former Director of Job and Family Service in Clark County, has also become a passionate advocate for Ohio soybean farmers on the global stage.

As an active member of the Ohio Soybean Council's Demand Committee, Suver has embarked on direct marketing trips to countries such as Japan, China, and South Korea, with a specific focus on promoting food-grade soybeans. Collaborating with processors, importers, and attending trade shows, Suver has witnessed firsthand the extensive efforts made by US and Ohio soybean producers to showcase their products abroad.

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Suver embarked on six separate trips to Asia over three years. Notably, during one trip in 2019 organized by the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC), a unique reverse crop tour was conducted due to swine fever concerns in China. Suver, representing Ohio, documented crop conditions and shared insights with over 300 individuals in Shanghai and Beijing, addressing questions and concerns regarding US soybean production that year.

Suver emphasizes the significance of cultivating strong trade relationships. Through his interactions with foreign buyers, some of whom had previously visited soybean farms in the United States, he recognized the value of established connections. Additionally, Suver recounts meeting the US Ambassador to China, a former Governor of Iowa, who stressed the importance of relationship-building for successful soybean trade, a sentiment widely valued in Asian cultures.

Suver has collaborated with the USSEC's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program. With strategic resource allocation from USSEC, the Soybean check-off, and the USDA, WISHH focuses on introducing soybean products to regions with limited soy consumption, particularly across Asia. By showcasing the benefits of soy in animal production and supporting the development of food systems, WISHH aims to capitalize on the projected growth of the middle class in Asia.

Through his unwavering advocacy and partnerships with organizations like WISHH, Suver plays a vital role in fostering trade relationships, opening doors for Ohio soybeans in emerging markets, and propelling the soybean industry's growth within the region.

 

Photo Credit: zoran-zeremski

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