NCI Hosts Food Soy Procurement Course | August 15 - 19, 2025

The Northern Crops Institute (NCI) hosted a Food Soy Procurement course from August 15-19, 2025. In partnership with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), this course was designed for Southeast Asian soy food professionals looking to deepen their understanding of sourcing, purchasing, and utilizing U.S. food grade and identity preserved (IP) soybeans. This year’s program welcomed 19 participants from the United States, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Over the five-day program, participants engaged in classroom sessions, facility tours, hands-on demonstrations, and market research activities. The course brought together industry leaders, exporters, processors, and researchers to provide a comprehensive overview of the U.S. soybean supply chain, from production and grading to export logistics and soy food product testing.

The program began with welcomes from USSEC and the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), followed by presentations on the strength, quality, and sustainability of U.S. soy. Participants gained insight into the U.S. grading system, identity preserved programs, and container freight transportation. A highlight of the first day included a tour of SB&B Foods in Casselton, ND, where participants learned firsthand about testing soybean varieties and identity preserved processing.

Day two covered key business topics such as contract specifications, packaging, pricing dynamics, shipping schedules, and payment terms. A U.S. crop update was provided through a panel of industry experts, and the afternoon featured a tour of Brushvale Seed in Breckenridge, MN, where participants explored breeding nurseries and toured the facilities.

On the third day, the group shifted focus to consumer perspectives with retail market research. Participants visited Costco, Coborn’s, and Kwik Trip to observe soy products on shelves and discuss regional marketing approaches in the U.S.

The fourth day returned to classroom learning at NCI, with sessions led by experts from the North Dakota Trade Office and North Dakota State University. Topics included the U.S. export system, soybean market dynamics, futures and cash markets, and risk management strategies.

The final morning centered on soy food applications. Participants worked with NCI’s food technologists on soymilk and tofu quality testing, and explored how sensory evaluation can be used in product development and quality assurance.

By the conclusion of the program, participants had developed a stronger understanding of the U.S. food grade soybean industry, from field to finished product.

This course was made possible through the support of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), North Dakota Soybean Council, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff, and Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council.