SSGA celebrates first US identity preserved sale to South Asia

After three years promoting U.S. identity preserved soy in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance’s (SSGA) efforts have met the ultimate success. In late 2023, Nepal’s Shree Radhe Rani International Trading purchased one container of identity preserved product from one of SSGA’s newest members. This was the first ever commercial sale of U.S. identity preserved soy to South Asia.

To celebrate the purchase, SSGA Senior Advisor for South Asia, Philip Shull, traveled to the Nepali dry port of Birgunj with company director, Mr. Gaurav Agrawal, to receive the shipment. While in Kathmandu, Shull also spoke on “The Power and Promise of U.S. Identity Preserved Soybeans” at a U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) seminar.

Mr. Agrawal credited SSGA’s outreach as a major reason for his decision to introduce U.S. identity preserved soy in Nepal.

“Nepalis love to try new products, and our family company, founded and led by my father, Mr. Arun Agrawal, has been the first to do many things in the market,” said Agrawal.

He stressed that attending SSGA’s Identity Preserved International Summit in Hawaii in Jan. 2023 and SSGA’s guidance in the purchasing process were key reasons for his decision to buy.

Within three days of the product’s arrival, Mr. Agrawal had delivered samples to more than six retailers who had packaged whole beans for retail sale, as well as processed the soybeans into products such as soy milk, tofu, soy flour and soy nuts.

Using his own equipment, Mr. Agrawal also split and dehulled bags of product. All of these items were on display at the USSEC seminar at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, which was attended by many of Nepal’s leading soy food processors and retailers.

“I am very pleased with the appearance and performance of these beans,” said Mr. Agrawal. “The tofu yield was better than expected, and the soft consistency of the tofu was very nice.”

Mr. Agrawal said that the feedback from his customers has been excellent. Assuming consumers are willing to pay the premium price, he plans to purchase at least one more container in the near future.

“But next time, I will require that the shipment carry SSGA’s U.S. Identity Preserved logo,” he said.

To capitalize on the momentum of this sale, SSGA plans to host a technical and trade seminar later this year.