This article originally appeared on Agri-Pulse

Agri-Pulse and The Chicago Council on Global Affairs are teaming up to host a monthly column to explore how the US agriculture and food sector can maintain its competitive edge and advance food security in an increasingly integrated and dynamic world. 

By Wade Cowan, soybean producer and President, American Soybean Association

Judging by acreage and harvest trends over the past twenty years, there can be no doubt that soybeans-once considered to be a rotational crop for corn-centric operations-are now at the heart of an American farm renaissance. Most American soybean producers have seen greater success in recent years than at any time in their careers.

But why? To a major extent, soy's recent success is due to the sharp rise in demand for soybean meal and oil overseas. In 2014, we sent $16 billion in American soybeans to China, roughly on par with what we shipped to the rest of our global customers combined. But while soybean farmers value their existing relationship with China, they are looking to markets that are less developed to support trade in the future. Emerging markets of South Asia and Latin America are offering increased opportunities for soybeans.  However, nowhere is there greater need or a bigger potential return on investment in agricultural development than in sub-Saharan Africa.

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