Key Takeaways:
- The Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit 2025 gathered over 700 attendees from 42 U.S. states and 8 countries.
- Discussions centered on trade disruption, market access, and the evolving role of biologicals and sustainable fuels.
- Keynotes by Karen Braun and Emily French addressed global trade uncertainty and market risks.
- Panels explored agricultural exports, energy transitions, and shifting consumer trends.
- Experts emphasized the urgency of addressing a “very real farm crisis” across rural America.
Trade Disruption Takes Center Stage at Women in Agribusiness Summit 2025
At the 14th annual Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit, held in Orlando, Florida, more than 700 participants from across the U.S. and eight countries convened to examine the challenges reshaping American agriculture. The event drew representatives from over 200 companies, reflecting the sector’s diversity and growing recognition of women’s leadership in agribusiness.
The summit opened with a discussion on the ongoing trade disruptions facing U.S. farmers and exporters. Speakers presented current market data showing the impact of geopolitical instability, declining export orders, and rising production costs — all factors influencing agricultural profitability and resilience.
Keynotes Address Agricultural Markets and Global Trade Risks
In the opening keynote, Karen Braun, Chief Market Analyst at Zaner Ag Hedge, presented insights on the state of U.S. agricultural commodity markets. Braun highlighted that, as of mid-September, China had not placed any soybean orders for the 2025–26 marketing year, marking the first time in 26 years without early-season purchases. She noted that by the same period in previous years, China would typically have secured about 30% of its annual U.S. soybean imports.
Emily French, CEO of Global Ag Protein, reinforced these concerns, describing the situation as a “red alert” for global agricultural trade. She pointed to increasing geopolitical uncertainty, trade negotiation challenges, and volatile government policies as major destabilizing factors for the sector.
Panel Examines Market Access and Trade Policy
A Market Access and Trade Policy panel featuring representatives from the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, North American Export Grain Association, and Society Rural Brazil delved into the structural challenges facing U.S. agriculture. The discussion emphasized that the U.S. produces more agricultural goods than it consumes, making export markets essential for stability.
Panel moderator Sara Wyant, founder and publisher of Agri-Pulse, remarked, “We are facing a very real farm crisis in our rural communities,” underscoring the need for policy responses to help producers manage low prices, lost orders, and rising input costs.
Innovation, Energy, and Consumer Trends Discussed at WIA Summit 2025
Beyond trade, the Women in Agribusiness Summit 2025 featured panels on innovation and sustainability shaping the future of food systems.
Pam Marrone, Executive Chair and Co-founder of Invasive Species Corporation, led the Ag Innovations Panel on biologicals, stating: “By 2040, biologicals are projected to grow at double digits while chemicals will only see single-digit growth. This shift is not just a trend; it’s a transformation in how we approach agriculture.”
Another session examined the rise of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a key decarbonization pathway. Yvonne Domeier, Manager of Sustainability Consulting for Delta Air Lines, explained, “Sustainable aviation fuel is expected to continue to grow over the next 10 to 20 years. It’s the single largest lever that aviation has to decarbonize.” The panel highlighted the critical role of U.S. farmers in supplying feedstocks for renewable energy production.
On shifting consumer behavior, Xinnan Li, VP and Senior RaboResearch Analyst at Rabobank, discussed the “bifurcation trend” in food purchasing — a widening gap between high-income consumers and other groups influenced by post-pandemic economic patterns.
Women in Agribusiness Summit 2025 Reinforces the Role of Women in Shaping Ag’s Future
The Women in Agribusiness Summit 2025 reinforced the role of women professionals in tackling complex challenges across trade, sustainability, and innovation. By focusing on real-world data and expert perspectives, the event provided a forum for advancing strategies that address both immediate pressures and long-term transformation in U.S. and global agriculture.
