Sri Lankan poultry producers and feed millers have been honoured as sustainability leaders at an international soy trade conference in Chicago, reflecting the country's growing adoption of certified sustainable sourcing practices.
Several leading poultry producers and feed millers from Sri Lanka received recognition for their commitment to sustainable practices at Soy Connext 2026, the flagship summit of the US Soybean Export Council held in Chicago from August 5 to 7. The event attracted over 800 delegates from around the world, marking its largest attendance to date. Sri Lankan representatives joined sustainability-focused sessions where industry speakers discussed how environmental responsibility and business profitability can work together rather than in opposition.
Sixteen Sri Lankan companies currently hold licenses to carry the Sustainable U.S. Soy and Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy labels, which are verified under the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol. This places Sri Lanka among the leading adopters of the certification scheme in Asia. New Anthoney's Farms became the first South Asian company to secure the license in 2023 and has since become a reference point for sustainable sourcing practices in the region.
Sri Lanka's growing role in the global soy supply chain reflects broader market trends. The country imported approximately 255,000 tonnes of containerised US soybean meal in 2025, making it the world's largest market for this product. The domestic animal feed industry now produces nearly 1.3 million metric tons annually, with poultry as its primary customer. International forecasters project global soy demand will increase from 247 million metric tons currently to 319 million metric tons by 2034, driven by population and economic growth in regions like South Asia.
The recognition builds on strengthening institutional connections between Sri Lanka and the US soybean sector. In May, the Sri Lanka Association of Animal Nutrition was formally established in partnership with the US Soybean Export Council, providing the country's nutritionists and feed scientists with their first dedicated professional organisation.
