Building Bridges: South Dakota Soybean Forges New International Partnerships

For South Dakota soybean farmers like Dave Iverson, the path to profitability increasingly runs through international ports and foreign markets. As Vice Chairman and District 4 Director for the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Iverson understands that with roughly 60 percent of the state's soybeans destined for export, building strong relationships with international buyers isn't just good business—it's essential for survival.

"In South Dakota, roughly 60% of our soybeans are exported," explains Iverson, who brings nearly five decades of farming experience to his role. "So the soybean farmers in South Dakota are extremely dependent upon having an international market for our soybeans."

Expanding into emerging markets

While traditional markets remain important, South Dakota Soybean is actively pursuing opportunities in emerging regions where protein consumption is growing rapidly. Iverson identifies Southeast Asia as particularly promising, with countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand leading the charge.

"In Southeast Asia, there's a lot of expanding markets," says Iverson. "All of those countries are wanting to increase their protein intake into their diet, and soybeans are a great opportunity to do that and then also in their livestock industry—the soybean meal is a great opportunity for those animals to improve their diet."

The expansion efforts extend beyond Asia into the Middle East and parts of Africa; regions experiencing similar trends in protein consumption driven by economic growth and changing dietary preferences.

The power of personal connections

The most compelling aspect of South Dakota's trade strategy lies in the personal relationships forged between farmers and international buyers. Iverson recalls a memorable example of how these connections translate into real business impact.

"A few years back, I was on a trip to Southeast Asia and met with buyers there," Iverson recounts. "Then the following fall, out of the blue, they made a point to come out to see my farm during harvest. They wanted to see soybeans at the source."

This spontaneous farm visit exemplifies the deeper relationships South Dakota farmers cultivate with their international customers. "To me, that was very rewarding to know the business relationship—it's more than just a company-to-company. It was person-to-person," says Iverson.

Strategic partnerships drive global reach

Building these international relationships requires sophisticated coordination. South Dakota Soybean accomplishes this through strategic partnerships, particularly with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), which maintains a global presence and facilitates connections between producers and buyers worldwide.

"The U.S. Soybean Export Council has a presence around the world," explains Iverson. "South Dakota Soybean has partnered with them specifically on projects that we can fund to help grow those markets and to introduce us to specific buyers that want our quality of soybeans."

This partnership model enables South Dakota farmers to extend their reach far beyond what would be possible individually, creating opportunities for face-to-face meetings that cement business relationships.

Quality sets South Dakota apart

When international buyers visit South Dakota farms, they consistently seek specific quality indicators that have become hallmarks of the state's soybean production. "Weed-free is one aspect and just the whole kernel—the shape of the kernel without a lot of foreign matter in there," notes Iverson. “Our sustainability practices are also highly valued.”

However, South Dakota's competitive advantage extends beyond basic quality metrics. The state has invested heavily in research demonstrating the superior nutritional profile of its soybeans, particularly their essential amino acid content.

"We have funded a lot of research to show the soybeans from South Dakota are better in diets for swine than other regions of the world," Iverson explains. "At times, South Dakota soybeans may be a little higher priced, but it's still better for the animal."

Looking toward future opportunities

Despite current market challenges, Iverson remains optimistic about emerging opportunities for soybean utilization. He sees particular promise in domestic applications for soybean oil, including new uses in asphalt, shingles, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel.

"I think the opportunities domestically—using the oil in new surfaces for asphalt, for extending the life of shingles, and the biodiesel, the sustainable aviation fuel," says Iverson. "We can utilize both the meal and the oil long term."

A message of perseverance

For South Dakota soybean farmers facing current pricing challenges, Iverson offers a message grounded in both realism and hope. He acknowledges that expanding global soybean production requires finding new markets to maintain competitiveness.

"I would propose that if we had not created those markets over the years, things would be much tougher now," he explains. "As we continue to expand these markets and build relationships, it will find a home for those soybeans and that can improve our prices."

The return on investment speaks for itself. The soybean checkoff delivers $12.34 for every dollar invested, demonstrating the tangible value of these international relationship-building efforts.

Get involved in South Dakota's global outreach

South Dakota Soybean regularly organizes trade missions to emerging markets and hosts international buyers for farm visits. Farmers interested in participating should contact their local district director to learn about upcoming opportunities.

As Iverson notes, building successful international relationships requires the same patience that farmers apply to their crops. "The soybean farmers, we know what it's like to be patient," he reflects. "We need a little perseverance to push through and to build the opportunity that will help South Dakota soybean farmers."

Visit sdsoybean.org to learn more about international trade opportunities and how your checkoff dollars support market development efforts around the globe.