SSGA returns from Manila mission

The Philippines boast the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, which means opportunities for growth and innovation in specialty food products – such as those made with ingredients from identity preserved field crops.

SSGA led a delegation representing the identity preserved value chain to Manila last week for a series of meetings with food manufacturers, traders and business associations as part of a regional workshop promoting high-quality, traceable grains and oilseeds from the United States, along with the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand label program.

The group included SSGA board directors Chuck Kunisch (Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC)) and Bryan Severs (Illinois Soybean Association), IP expert consultant Rob Prather and SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, along with Southeast Asia representatives from the organization’s global management team.

SSGA met with a variety of business at different stages of purchasing identity preserved products, including companies with long relationships with U.S. suppliers, companies considering adding new products with specialty and IP ingredients to their portfolios and others that are new to IP products. SSGA is working on trade leads ranging from identity preserved/food-grade soybeans to specialty grains following conversations in those meetings.

“We had some great conversations,” Frederick said. “We provided plenty of information but learned a lot ourselves. There are some great opportunities for SSGA member companies and the U.S. Identity Preserved brand in the Philippines.”

Frederick introduced SSGA, “the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance,” and spoke about the IP brand and label program, while Prather discussed contracting and grading. Severs, who grows a variety of non-GMO soybeans near Potomac, Illinois, emphasized the extra work segregation practices that take place in specialty field crop farming. Kunisch highlighted variety specificity and the process of cleaning, sorting and shipping of IP crops at SSGA-member facilities such as MAC.

“SSGA’s ‘fork to farm’ message is one that resonates with buyers and potential buyers,” Frederick said. “Understanding that IP means choosing the varieties you want and need and getting what you order so you can make a high-quality food product for your own customers.”

Additionally, the group met with Philfoodex, the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, and received an invitation for SSGA to speak virtually at that organization’s annual meeting next month. The delegation also had a debriefing at the U.S. Embassy with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service staff posted in Manila.

SSGA also held a U.S. Identity Preserved Workshop in Tokyo during the FoodEx Japan trade show in March and is planning another for Kathmandu, Nepal, in September, hitting each of its primary target regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia before holding the second Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

SSGA’s 2024 Identity Preserved Workshops have been sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, North Dakota Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board as part of their support of the Identity Preserved International Summit.

The U.S. Identity Preserved program receives support from the Illinois Soybean Association, Michigan Soybean Committee, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, along with funding from a USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion grant and added support from the U.S. Soybean Export Council.