Sri Lanka panel led by Dr. Athula Mahagamage (extreme left)

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted CrushCon and HungerCon in Dubai, UAE, from December 12-14, 2023. 

CrushCon focused on the imperative role trade plays in collectively meeting the goal of food and nutrition security. Events like CrushCon and HungerCon underscore the need to meet South Asia’s rapidly growing demand for protein through sustainable practices. 

Discussions at the event revolved around building trust, creating resilient supply chains, fostering economic growth, implementing sustainability practices and the role U.S. soybeans play in the global food systems. With a participation of more than 130 industry leaders across the soy value chain from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the US, the importance of South Asia’s need for meeting its food and nutrition security was highlighted in the event.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by USSEC Country Team Lead Dr. Athula Mahagamage, who also moderated Sri Lanka’s update panel discussions. M.S. Shafeek, M. Imthizam Wahid, Dilshan Wewita, Zaffar Jewunjee, Noordeen Sethwala and K. Eranga Dishan, representing the national level in the poultry sector, participated in this panel discussion, which was based on Sri Lanka’s resilient rebound from economic and political challenges within the poultry and livestock sectors.

Esteemed speaker line-up included USSEC CEO Jim Sutter, USSEC Chairman Stan Born, USSEC Regional Director SAASSA Kevin Roepke, University of Nottingham Food Systems Institute Director Jack Bobo, United Soybean Board Vice President Market Intelligence Mac Marshall, Takmila Shahid of S&P Global Platts, The FeedGuys Founder Mathew Clark, Sitonia Consulting Founder Darin Friedrichs and more.

The USSEC focuses on differentiating, elevating preference and attaining market access for the use of US soy for human consumption, aquaculture and livestock feed in 80+ countries internationally.