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Industry leaders and stakeholders from Bangladesh’s poultry and feed sectors have highlighted the vital role of soybean as a sustainable, high-quality, and cost-effective source of protein for both human nutrition and animal feed. The remarks were made during a discussion held Tuesday at the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) office in Bashundhara, Dhaka, marking the country’s first-ever observance of “Soy Month.”
The event was jointly organised by the BPICC and the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) to raise awareness of soybean’s nutritional benefits and its critical role in ensuring food and feed security.
Speaking at the event, Shamsul Arefin Khaled, President of BPICC, stressed the importance of soybean meal in livestock feed. “Soybean provides a well-balanced profile of essential amino acids, including lysine, tryptophan, threonine, and isoleucine — all crucial for animal growth and health,” he said. He noted that soybean meal is not only highly digestible and palatable for livestock but also more affordable than many alternative protein sources like fishmeal.
Moshiur Rahman, President of the World’s Poultry Science Association-Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB), stated that Bangladesh requires around 2.5 to 2.6 million tonnes of soybean meal annually. While domestic soybean production is minimal, approximately 60–75% of the required meal is sourced from local crushing facilities.
Md Nazrul Islam, General Secretary of the Feed Industries Association Bangladesh (FIAB), underscored the increasing demand for feed as the country anticipates a doubling in chicken and egg consumption by 2050. “The growth in poultry production directly translates to a higher demand for soybean meal,” he said.
In a message to the event, Md Hasan, Managing Director of City Group, described soybean as a “miracle bean” rich in all nine essential amino acids. He said City Group, one of Bangladesh’s largest soybean oil producers, sources oilseeds mainly from the US and produces soymeal for the feed industry. He praised USSEC and BPICC for initiating the Soy Month celebration.
Tanzima Mostafa, Director of Meghna Group of Industries (MGI), said soybeans play a critical role in both human and animal nutrition worldwide. “Soybean meal is the leading protein source in animal feed globally, used extensively across poultry, cattle, and aquaculture sectors,” she said. MGI, a leading local soybean oil producer under the “Fresh” brand, processed 68,000 tonnes of soybean meal and 48,000 tonnes of oil in January 2025 alone, primarily using US-origin soybeans.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, she added, “With protein-energy malnutrition still prevalent in Bangladesh, Soy Month can contribute meaningfully to improving nutrition and public health.”
Khabibur Rahman Kanchan, USSEC Team Lead for Bangladesh, noted that global soybean production stands at approximately 397–399 million metric tons annually, with the U.S. contributing 113–118.8 million metric tons — around 28–30% of the total. He emphasized US soy’s reputation for quality, consistency, and sustainability, making it a preferred choice worldwide.
Kanchan also highlighted USSEC’s global efforts to promote soy through campaigns like “Soy Month” and its collaboration with the “Right to Protein” movement. In Bangladesh, USSEC and BPICC are working together to encourage greater protein consumption for a healthier future generation.
The event was attended by key industry figures, including Mahabubur Rahman, President of the Breeders Association of Bangladesh (BAB); Md Ahsanuzzaman, Senior Vice President of FIAB; Shah Fahad Habib, General Secretary of BAB; Md Anwarul Haque, Vice President of BAB; and Mohammad Fayzur Rahman, Treasurer of WPSA-BB.
