Sri Lankan Poultry Producers have received international recognition for their sustainability efforts, with leading companies honoured at Soy Connext 2026 in Chicago for adopting sustainable U.S. soybean sourcing and feed practices.
Sri Lankan Poultry Producers earn global recognition for sustainable US soybean sourcing
The recognition took place during a dedicated sustainability session at the flagship summit of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), held from August 5 to 7 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The event brought together more than 800 delegates, marking the largest attendance in Soy Connext history.
Sri Lanka’s poultry sector was represented among sustainability leaders from the Americas, Greater China and Southeast Asia. Several Sri Lankan poultry producers and feed millers were recognised for their use of the Sustainable U.S. Soy and Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy labels, highlighting the country’s growing focus on responsible sourcing within the animal feed industry.
The recognition is particularly significant given Sri Lanka’s position in the global U.S. soybean meal trade. The country was the world’s largest market for containerised U.S. soybean meal in 2025, importing approximately 255,000 tonnes during the year. Much of this supply supports an animal feed industry that now produces close to 1.3 million metric tonnes annually, with poultry representing its largest customer.
Sixteen Sri Lankan poultry producers and feed millers currently hold licences to use the Sustainable U.S. Soy and Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy labels. These licences are verified under the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol, or SSAP, which provides a framework for demonstrating the sustainability credentials of U.S. soy production and supply chains.
New Anthoney’s Farms became the first company in South Asia to secure the relevant licence in 2023. Since then, its experience has served as a reference point for USSEC when highlighting sustainable sourcing practices in the region.
The growing participation of Sri Lankan companies in the programme reflects a broader shift in the country’s poultry and animal feed sectors, where sustainability is increasingly being linked with sourcing decisions, consumer expectations and long-term business resilience.
Sri Lankan Poultry Producers also participated in a sustainability panel at the summit, where industry representatives discussed the relationship between responsible sourcing and commercial performance. The central message was that sustainability does not necessarily have to come at the expense of profitability.
For producers, the Sustainable U.S. Soy logo provides a visible way to communicate their sourcing practices to customers. The certification can help companies demonstrate their commitment to climate-conscious production, nutrition and the use of responsibly sourced protein-rich feed ingredients.
Soy Connext 2026 also placed Sri Lanka’s poultry industry within a much larger global demand story. USSEC CEO Jim Sutter told delegates that independent forecasts indicate global soybean import demand could increase from around 247 million metric tonnes currently to 319 million metric tonnes by 2034.
The projected growth is expected to be driven largely by economic and population expansion in regions such as South Asia, where rising incomes and changing diets are increasing demand for protein. For Sri Lanka’s poultry sector, that trend could create opportunities while also placing greater emphasis on efficient, resilient and sustainable feed supply chains.
The summit itself began with the Trade Team Invitational, bringing international buyers together with U.S. exporters through one-on-one meetings. This was followed by keynotes and breakout sessions focused on global market conditions, sustainability and supply chain resilience.
The international recognition comes amid strengthening institutional ties between Sri Lanka and USSEC. In May, the Sri Lanka Association of Animal Nutrition, or SLAAN, was formally launched in Kandy in partnership with USSEC. The new professional body provides a dedicated platform for Sri Lankan nutritionists and feed scientists to collaborate, share knowledge and strengthen expertise within the sector.
For the Sri Lanka poultry industry, such institutional development could become increasingly important as producers respond to changing consumer expectations, global sustainability standards and the need for reliable feed supplies.
The country’s position as the world’s largest containerised buyer of U.S. soybean meal also gives Sri Lanka a notable role within the wider U.S. soy supply chain. The scale of imports demonstrates the importance of soybean meal to local animal nutrition and the poultry industry’s ability to influence demand for sustainably sourced feed ingredients.
The recognition of Sri Lankan Poultry Producers at Soy Connext 2026 therefore represents more than an industry award. It highlights the growing integration of sustainability into the country’s poultry supply chain and strengthens Sri Lanka’s visibility within the international U.S. soy market.
As the delegation returns from Chicago, the recognition could provide additional momentum for local producers to expand sustainable sourcing practices. It also reinforces the potential for closer cooperation between Sri Lankan poultry businesses, nutrition professionals and international agricultural organisations as the global demand for protein continues to rise.