In order to establish market differentiation for consignments of U.S. agricultural commodities, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance has developed an Identity Preserved Assurance Plan and Mark.  Exporters and allied associations are eligible to join the Alliance, providing they adhere to the requirements, specifying source including product description and quality standards.

Funding for the U.S. Identity Preserved Assurance Plan and Mark was provided by the USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion Program. Additional contributions were made by the state soybean associations of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan.

The program is supported by the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the U.S. Grains Council and commercial groups including Spire Research and Consulting and Ag. Management Solutions.

Establishing a U.S. brand based on assurances of quality standards will differentiate certified products from commodities, ultimately benefiting producers through both volume and price. The program will however only be successful if buyers of the certified soybeans and grains can measure a benefit that might offset any differential in price between prevailing commodity prices and the cost for the certified products. The second consideration relates to the concept that non-certified U.S. products may be inferior in quality.

The U.S. Identity Preserved Brand was introduced at an event in Viet Nam where the brand mark designated premium crops with verifiable origins. The program developed in 2021 has attracted over a dozen U.S. companies to join and use the mark.  Additional participants are currently under evaluation to ensure compliance with standards.

Details on the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance can be accessed on www.soyagrainsalliance.org