The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is excited to promote a direct shipping route for soy from Wisconsin to Europe during visits Sept. 2-6 to Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Antwerp, Belgium.
The trip, hosted by Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), seeks to explore and promote the interconnectivity of commerce utilizing the U.S. St. Lawrence Seaway, a shipping lane that, with biodiesel availability, is set to become one of the greenest shipping lanes in the world for exports.
“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with SSGA for a trade mission to Rotterdam,” said Adam Kask, WSMB executive director. “Developing soybean exports through the St. Lawrence Seaway is crucial to growing Wisconsin’s ag economy, and we are thankful for the chance to build relationships with European buyers.”
Kask will be joined by Wisconsin farmers Sara Stelter, Steve Wilkins, Nancy Kavazanjian and Jake Steffes, along with leaders from Minnesota Soybean, Illinois Soybean, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), ocean carriers, European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC), the European Animal Feed processing industry and regional economic development groups, among others.
There will also be a USDA briefing on market development opportunities and a chance to learn more about the future of the St. Lawrence Seaway through meetings and tours.
About the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board
WSMB is the seven-person board of elected farmers who oversee the investment of soybean checkoff money into new uses, new markets, production research, promotion and education in order to positively impact Wisconsin’s soybean farmers and the soy industry.