In late April, Logan County soybean farmer Bill Bayliss spoke to Korean customers during the 2021 U.S. Food Bean Buyers Conference, which was put on by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). Bayliss, who is a board member for the Ohio Soybean Council and United Soybean Board, spoke about his farm, planting conditions and planting progress. The conference was aimed at  increasing customers’ awareness on the quality and sustainability of U.S. Soy.

“I’m always happy to talk directly to our customers and tell them about the great soybeans we grow in Ohio,” Bayliss said. “Although it is always nice to meet in person, virtual events like this one help us connect with customers and continue to keep U.S. Soy at the forefront of their minds despite not being able to  travel.”

Bayliss is no stranger to talking to international customers. He often hosts trade team delegations on his farm and has also traveled abroad to connect with buyers.

Other presentations  given at the conference included a non-GMO food soybean market outlook, a discussion of high oleic soy food varieties and an introduction to USSEC’s U.S. Soyfood Variety Database, which  shows international buyers the different varieties of soybeans that are grown in the United States.

To continue to engage international customers, USSEC also has plans to host virtual trade team  visits in the coming months. The annual Global Trade Exchange, which brings together over 1,000 buyers and sellers of U.S. Soy, is scheduled to take place in late August.