In mid-August, the focus in Washington, DC, was on soybeans, a crop with a significant global impact on food security. Over 700 people from 59 countries gathered at Soy Connext 2025, an event organized by the U.S. Soybean Export Council, to discuss how soy can help feed a growing world.
Trade delegations from 34 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, toured American farms and ports. They witnessed firsthand the innovation and reliability that make U.S. soy a trusted source for food and energy worldwide.
The scale of the soybean industry is vast. In 2024, U.S. soy contributed $31.2 billion to the American economy and was exported to more than 80 countries. Demand continues to grow, with global soybean use projected to reach 346 million metric tons this year, highlighting soy’s central role in the global poultry, dairy, and aquaculture industries.
A delegation from Pakistan, representing the All-Pakistan Solvent Extractors’ Association, also attended the event. They met with U.S. soybean farmers and suppliers to discuss the strong trade relations between Pakistan and the U.S. and how U.S. soy provides consistent, high-quality, and affordable protein for millions of families in Pakistan.
Soybean meal, a by-product of the bean, is the primary ingredient in poultry feed. In Pakistan, poultry accounts for nearly half of the meat consumed and is the most accessible and affordable source of protein. With a population of over 250 million, more than 60 percent of whom are young, and a rising demand for nutritious food, these soy imports are crucial for strengthening food security and supporting healthier futures.
On the sidelines of the event, Pakistan’s Dr. Rai M. Sajid of the Jadeed Group was globally recognized as the STAR Award Winner for the U.S. Soybean Export Council’s Soy Excellence Center (SEC) program. The SEC is a capacity-building initiative that trains the next generation of protein professionals in emerging markets like Pakistan, focusing on aquaculture, poultry, and feed milling.
Soy Connext demonstrates that when global partners collaborate, the benefits are shared widely. For Pakistan, this partnership extends beyond soybeans; it is an investment in people and industries, unlocking the potential of a young nation ready to grow strong. The event provides a platform for global partners to work together toward a more nutritious, protein-rich, and food-secure world.
