US farm groups court Southeast Asia at Jakarta conference
Soy, corn trade and supply chains top agenda for region’s growth
2 October 2025
1 minute read
By: More than 400 agricultural leaders from over 20 countries met in Jakarta from September 15–17 for the Southeast Asia US Agricultural Cooperators Conference, with discussions centred on trade, supply chain resilience and food security, according to a press release from the US Soybean Export Council.
The event, co-organised by the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and the US Grains & BioProducts Council, featured panels on logistics, regulatory trends and sustainability, alongside business-to-business networking.
Southeast Asia remains one of the fastest-growing destinations for US farm exports. The region imported 9.08 million metric tons of whole soybeans and 20.89 million tons of soybean meal in 2023/24, driven by food demand and feed sector growth. Indonesia is the largest buyer of U.S. food-use soybeans, with strong demand for tempe and tofu.
USSEC regional director Timothy Loh described Southeast Asia as “a key region of growth for US Soy,” pointing to rising protein consumption and a growing middle class.
Leaders including USSEC CEO Jim Sutter and chair Janna Fritz said sustainability and supply reliability will be central to maintaining market access. Speakers highlighted food safety, traceability and consistent product quality as priorities for Southeast Asian buyers.
The conference concluded with calls to deepen cooperation between US exporters, Southeast Asian buyers and governments to strengthen agricultural trade ties.
