Did you know that aquaculture is the fastest growing animal production system in the world today? Or that aquaculture is the fastest growing utilization area for soy protein ingredients? Aquaculture and U.S. soybean production easily fit hand-in-hand. While I was at the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange I quickly realized the relationship aquaculture and the soybean community have formed and understood the extreme potential for growth on both ends.

Colby Sutter, Marketing Director, Aquaculture & Customer Focus, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), sat down with me to share more about this growth. “Aquaculture is an industry that has been growing at a rapid pace for the last nine years. It has grown 10% per year, which means more and more feed is needed. More high quality, consistent protein are needed for these aquafeed ingredients. U.S. soy with it’s sustainability and consistent supply really fits that need perfectly.”

USSEC has boots on the ground globally providing technical assistance, sharing the latest in new technologies and training. Colby said that was just one aspect as to why international customers choose U.S. soy. “Our protein, our actual ingredient is of a higher protein. Our amino acids are better. We offer a more sustainable product and now with the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol, we offer people the ability to have certified U.S. sustainable soy, which is more and more important in food products.”

China is leading the world in seafood production and they are a net importer, as well. Colby said they are also seeing a lot of growth in Southeast Asia and surprisingly, they are seeing growth in Latin America. “That is where we, as USSEC, are really focusing. There we have great marketshare. We have put a lot of emphasis in working on our program there and helping to see that aquaculture industry grow because that will be straight U.S. soy going into that market.”

Listen to my complete interview with Colby here: Interview with Colby Sutter, USSEC

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 US Soy Global Trade Exchange Photos