In the global transition toward more sustainable food systems, “sustainability” is a requirement for market access. For the U.S. Soybean Expert Council (USSEC), proving the environmental advantages of U.S. is essential to differentiating U.S. soy farmers in the competitive global market. Therefore, we conducted a series of footprint studies, including calculating the carbon footprint of soybeans from the U.S. compared to soybeans from other counties. The results provide USSEC with independent and science-based data, which they use in their external communications.
Providing the sustainability advantage of U.S. soy
Footprint & LCA studies for USSEC
U.S. Soybean Export Council
USSEC is a nonprofit organization that connects U.S. soybean farmers and the broader supply chain with global markets for human consumption, aquaculture, and animal feed. USSEC operates in key international regions to support market access and promote U.S. soy by demonstrating its sustainability advantage to buyers worldwide. Members of USSEC represent the soy supply chain including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations.
Footprint calculations
In order to understand the carbon footprint of soy from the U.S. compared to other sourcing countries of soy and other sources of protein, we supported USSEC with a series of carbon footprint and LCA studies.
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Soybeans
Calculation of the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts of soybeans from the U.S. to various markets, compared to soybeans from other countries. We performed a Life Cycle Assessment study, covering all stages from cultivation through processing and transport, including the effects of Land Use Change (LUC), such as deforestation. The calculations were in accordance with the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) standard set by the European Commission. The Agri-footprint database (LCA database) was used to model soybeans from other countries.
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Poultry production
Calculation of the carbon footprint of poultry production in several regions around the world. Soybeans are an important ingredient for poultry feed worldwide. For USSEC we compared the carbon footprint of poultry production with the current soybean market mix, which includes soybean sources from different regions in the world, with soybeans only sourced from the U.S.
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Soy complex
Comparison of the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts of the U.S. soy complex (soybeans, meal, oil) with other protein sources worldwide, including novel protein production.
We chose Mérieux NutriSciences | Blonk for science-based environmental footprint assessments of our soybeans. As a leader in agri-food LCA methodologies and data with a strong grasp of feed and food supply chains, Blonk provided the thorough analysis that gives us the confidence and evidence required to back our claims on the sustainability performance of US soy.
Competitive edge of U.S. soybeans
The various study results provided USSEC with a scientific and independent basis to claim that U.S. soybeans have a competitive environmental advantage. The data is used to promote U.S. soybeans globally as a ‘sustainable’ soy option, emphasizing the lower environmental impact compared to soybeans from other countries. The results appear in USSEC’s sustainability communication in reporting, website and marketing materials, in industry events and on the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) certificates via the Global Feed LCA Institute issued to exporters and global customers.
More information
Get in touch
Janjoris van Diepen
Footprint Director North America
Curious or questions about this project? Or ready to back your sustainability claims with a data-driven approach? Contact Janjoris to see how LCA can give your product a competitive edge.