South Dakota farmers are promoting their soybeans to existing and new export customers to fill in business lost to their top customer China due to the ongoing trade war. This week they hosted a trade team from southeast Asia representing countries that already buy South Dakota soybeans and product. South Dakota Soybean Association President Jeff Thompson says bringing the buyers in to see the supply chain and tour farms is an important part of the process. And of course they did have questions about whether the U.S. will have a good crop with the current weather issues.

He says they’re encouraged by the export promotion efforts with existing customers as they’ve responded by ramping up purchases of both beans and meal. However, Thompson says they’ll also be hosting teams from other less developed markets which take longer to build.

Thompson says this week’s trade mission was made possible by Ag Trade Promotion funds that were part of the trade aid package. They are just one of many teams that will be visiting the state and region in coming weeks.

There is a realization that there may be some long-term damage done with China due to the trade war and so these new markets will be important in the future.