US soy unlocks profit potential for Southeast Asia’s feed industry
US soy is a high-quality product that can help Southeast Asian animal protein producers cut costs, improve productivity, and optimize feed.
Southeast Asia is a fast-growing market for US soybeans, fueled by rising demand for quality feed and growth in the poultry and livestock industries. In marketing year 2023/24, the region imported 9.08 million metric tons (MMT) of whole soybeans and 20.89 MMT of sbm, highlighting growing demand for protein-rich feed. For the past eight years, the Philippines has been the top importer of US soybean meal (sbm), while imports to Vietnam and Indonesia have increased by 110% and 49% over the past five years.
“Southeast Asia’s growing preference for US soy reflects the region’s need for high-quality, sustainable, and efficient feed solutions,” said Timothy Loh, US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Regional Director for Southeast Asia & Oceania. “By consistently delivering nutritional and economic advantages, US Soy strengthens feed producers’ competitiveness in a dynamic global marketplace.”
At the VIV Asia 2025 held in Bangkok last March 12-14, USSEC focused on feed cost optimization, animal nutrition, and sustainability. Experts including Dr Dr Thomas D’Alfonso, USSEC Global Director – Animal & Aquaculture; Tarik Eluri, USSEC Sustainability Manager; Dr Basilisa Reas, USSEC Regional Technical Director-Animal Utilization; and Dr Chaiyapoom Bunchasak of the Department of Animal Science at Thailand’s Kasetsart University discussed key topics such as:
- The role of digestible amino acids in precision nutrition
- Proven strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of feed production
- Sustainability initiatives that drive business success
A competitive advantage
A key driver for the demand for US soy is its high amino acid digestibility, which boosts animal performance and feed efficiency. Its nutrient profile—rich in essential amino acids and sucrose—translates into a USD 5–10/MT of feed return on investment for international meat producers.
Moreover, USSEC explained that US soy’s consistent quality—thanks to ideal growing conditions and in-field drying—ensures reliable performance from production through storage, transport, and feed formulation.
“US sbm offers a competitive, high-quality feed ingredient that helps poultry and livestock producers optimize feed formulations, lower costs, and improve overall productivity,” said Dr D’Alfonso. “By choosing US soy, producers can not only invest in a product with superior nutritional value and consistency but also do so for the long-term sustainability of their businesses.”
