“Sustainable U.S. Soy” is a label growing in popularity. U.S. soy is known as a premium product compared to other nation’s soy for its amino acid profile, energy levels, color and storability. Consumers have also been shown to prefer U.S. soy and appreciate it as a safer, more sustainable product.

In late January 2025, Guatemala hosted the Americas Agribusiness Sustainability Conference, sponsored by U.S. Soy and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), where they focused on encouraging producers in Central America to use the “Sustainable U.S. Soy” label on their products.

Attendees at the conference were mainly consumers of soybean meal, such as feed mill owners and operators. MSR&PC Director Gene Stoel was also in attendance and participated in the “Voices of U.S. Soy” panel with a fellow farmer from Missouri.

“As a soybean grower, I think it’s important we promote our own product,” Stoel said.

The panel covered information about their own farms and why U.S. soy is superior to soy from anywhere else. Stoel said growing trade relations with Central America partner helps build and diversify demand for U.S. soy. Guatemala is Central America’s largest consumer of U.S. soymeal and soybean oil, accounting for $281 million in value, according to SoyStats.

“USSEC does a very good job of showing (the consumer) it’s not just price, but the value from the soybean meal itself,” Stoel said. “We can’t rely on one big customer anymore – we want to open up other markets.’