The U.S. Soybean Export Council announced Monday that 71% of all U.S. soy exports were shipped with sustainability certificates in the latest marketing year, marking significant growth in verified sustainable production practices.
The milestone was detailed in the third annual U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol report, which tracks progress in sustainable soybean production and global market adoption. The protocol serves as a framework for sustainable production practices while allowing global buyers to demonstrate their commitment to sourcing sustainable ingredients.
"This underscores U.S. Soy's rapidly expanding role in supporting sustainable nutrition security globally," said Jim Sutter, USSEC CEO.
Created in 2014, the protocol provides credible verification that purchased soy is sustainably produced through compliance with U.S. laws, regulations, production practices and audit processes.
The report shows more than 1,200 products across 22 countries now carry Sustainable U.S. Soy or Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy labels. Dutch Mill food company became the first soy milk brand in Thailand to feature the certification, while more than 207 companies globally have utilized transferable SSAP certificates, extending sustainability verification throughout the value chain.
SSAP certificates now include GFLI-verified carbon footprint data, reinforcing that U.S. soybean farmers maintain the lowest carbon footprint globally.
The report outlines ambitious 2030 sustainability goals, including a 10% reduction in land use impact, a 25% reduction in soil erosion, a 10% reduction in energy use and a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
"U.S. soybean growers are committed to conservation practices that deliver high quality, reliable, sustainable soy products to customers across the world and we're proud of their agricultural leadership," Sutter said.
