This week in Omaha, at the Global Trade Exchange, Chinese officials signed a purchase agreement to buy over $1 and a half billion worth of U.S. soybeans. U.S. Soybean Export Council Chairman Jim Miller who farms near Belden, Nebraska says that’s 3.8 million metric tons of soybeans.

He says the Global Grain Exchange features over 250 customers representing 58 countries. Miller who met with some buyers, says the U.S. has gained greater market share in Bangladesh and Pakistan over India because they’re now using most of their soybeans for livestock feed rather than selling it to those two countries.

Miller says U.S. soybeans are preferred by international customers over South America because it’s better for livestock feed.

Miller says the U.S. Soybean Export Council members on Friday will take several of the international buyers to visit the University of Nebraska research facilities and then give them a tour of some Nebraska farms where they can see soybeans growing first hand.