Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) celebrated Soy Month for the first time in Bangladesh. 

To celebrate the power of soybean- a reliable and sustainable source of protein, a discussion was held today at BPICC’s office at Bashundhara, Dhaka, where stakeholders from poultry and feed industry attended. 

Shamsul Arefin Khaled, president of BPICC said, soybean, particularly in the form of soybean meal, is a major and crucial ingredient in animal feed. It is essential for growth, muscle development and overall health of livestock and poultry. 

Soybeans provide a well-balanced profile of essential amino acids, including lysine, tryptophan, threonine, and isoleucine, which are often lacking in cereal grains. 

Protein in soybean meal is highly digestible for most livestock and poultry, and is generally palatable to animals, making it readily consumed when included in feed rations. Khaled said, compared to other protein sources like fishmeal, soybean meal is often a more economical option for animal feed formulations. 

Moshiur Rahman, president of World’s Poultry Science Association-Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB) said that the demand for soybean meal in Bangladesh is substantial, estimated to be around 2.5 to 2.6 million tonnes annually. 

The production of soy is insignificant in Bangladesh, so we are significantly dependent on imported soy. However, we get 60-75% soybean meal from the local soybean crushing industry.  

Md. Nazrul Islam, General Secretary of Feed Industries Association Bangladesh (FIAB) said, soybean plays a vital role in the global food system by providing a cost-effective and nutritious protein source for both direct human consumption and as a key component in animal agriculture. 

Bangladesh is expecting a double growth of egg and chicken intake by 2050, which means we need to produce more feed. In fact, the growth of these sectors directly fuels the need for more soybean meal.    

In a message Md. Hasan, Managing Director of City Group, said that soybean is a miracle bean, a remarkable nutritional power pack that contains all nine essential amino acids – the building blocks of life that our bodies cannot produce on their own. This makes it a valuable alternative to animal-based proteins. He said, City Group is a leading soybean oil producer in Bangladesh. 

We import soybean oilseed mainly from the USA. Besides soybean oil, we also produce soymeal for the livestock feed industry. He mentioned that this is the first time Soy Month is being celebrated in Bangladesh. Md. Hasan expressed gratitude to USSEC and BPICC for taking an excellent initiative to celebrate soy month. 

Mrs. Tanzima Mostafa, Director of Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) in a separate message said, Soybeans are a remarkable source of high-quality protein, playing an essential role in supporting both human and animal nutrition. 

Soybean meal, a co-product of oil extraction, is the leading protein source in animal feed globally, widely utilized across poultry, cattle, and aquaculture industries. Its highly digestible protein content allows livestock to convert feed into essential nutrients with exceptional efficiency. 

Moreover, soybeans and soybean meal provide valuable energy through their natural fat and carbohydrate composition, further enhancing their nutritional profile. Tanzima Mostafa said, MGI is one of Bangladesh’s leading producers of soybean oil, under the renowned "Fresh" brand. In January 2025 alone, the company supplied approximately 48,000 tonnes of soybean oil. During the same period, MGI also delivered 15,000 tonnes of bottled oil and 68,000 tonnes of soybean meal, primarily produced from U.S. origin soybeans. 

MGI sources its raw soybean oil and seeds from trusted global partners in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Since the establishment of Meghna Seeds Crushing Mills Ltd. in 2010 and Sonargaon Seeds Crushing Mills Ltd. in 2018, MGI has built one of the largest seed-crushing operations in Bangladesh, with a combined crushing capacity of 7,500 tonnes per day. 

Given that protein-energy malnutrition rates in Bangladesh remain higher than the global average, initiatives like Soy Month hold particular significance. By raising awareness around soy as an affordable, accessible, and versatile protein source, we can contribute meaningfully toward improving public health and strengthening nutrition security across the country, Tanzima added. 

Khabibur Rahman Kanchan, USSEC Team Lead-Bangladesh said, globally 397 to 399 million metric tons of soybean is produced annually. The United States produces around 113 to 118.8 million metric tons of soy, accounting for approximately 28-30% of global soybean production.  

U.S. Soy generally offers a good balance of protein and oil content, and has earned a strong reputation for its consistent quality, commitment to sustainability, reliable supply chain, and adherence to safety standards. These factors often make it a preferred choice for buyers worldwide seeking a dependable and responsibly produced source of soybeans.    

Kanchan said, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) is a pioneer in celebrating a dedicated "Soy Month" globally and has been a leading force in promoting and highlighting the importance of soy. USSEC has consistently engaged in various campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits, sustainability, and versatility of U.S. Soy. USSEC collaborates with the "Right to Protein" (RTP). 

In Bangladesh, BPICC is partnering with RTP to raise awareness and increase protein intake for a healthy next generation. Among others, the discussion was attended by MahabuburRahman, president of Breeders Association of Bangladesh (BAB), Md. Ahsanuzzaman, Senior Vice-president of FIAB, Shah Fahad Habib, general secretary and Md. Anwarul Haque, Vice-president of BAB, and Mohammad Fayzur Rahman, Treasurer of WPSA-BB.

MN/