Iowa ag leaders travel to China to expand soybean markets - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

An Iowa group is in China, drumming up more export business for the state's soybeans.  Several members of the Iowa Soybean Association are traveling through the country ten days, strengthening existing relationship and exploring new markets and opportunities.

China is the world's largest soybean importer.  Iowa leads the U.S. in soy production.  In 2012, 44 percent of U.S. soybeans were exported and, of those, 65 percent were purchased by China.

"Although we live in a very global and digital world, face-to-face communication is vital to our business relationships in countries such as China," said Mark Jackson, ISA president and farmer from Rose Hill. "Iowa soybean farmers have historically been trusted and valued suppliers to China and we'll continue to do so. Developing and strengthening these relationships is part of our business plan. In addition, we want to be on the front-lines of new uses and markets for our soybeans, such as aquaculture."

The Iowa delegation includes two Siouxlanders: Brian Kemp of Sheldon, who is the vice president of the soybean association and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey of Spirit Lake.