U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Manager of Global Strategies and Trade Sadie Marks and USGC Manager of Industry Relations Rebecca Starrett recently traveled to Couer d’Alene, Idaho to participate in the 2024 Tri-State Convention and speak to barley producers about the market development efforts the Council is making on their behalf.
Marks gave presentations to Idaho Barley Commission (IDC) members and staff on how the barley sector’s check-off dollars are working to develop markets abroad and future plans for using regional agriculture promotion program (RAPP) funds to generate further global demand for barley.
“It’s important to engage our members like the IDC to illustrate the value of how their checkoff dollars make the Council’s work possible and how their investments can move the needle for U.S. barley production by expanding existing markets and opening new ones,” Marks said.
“Events like these are also ways to reach new producers and integrate them into the Council’s mission, as their involvement in promotion programs is key in building trust between international buyers and U.S. products. You can’t put a price on that.”
Marks also updated attendees on the Council’s work in Mexico, a vital export market for U.S. barley producers, including recent inroads made with the Mexican brewing industry that could lead to significant financial returns along the U.S. barley value chain.
“Mexico continues to be our top priority market for the Council and the top export market for the largest barley producing state, Idaho. Across the barley belt, producers harvest sustainable and high-quality barley and, coupled with a reliable and transparent U.S. export system, it positions U.S. barley as an attractive option for the Mexico market,” Marks said.
“Boots-on-the-ground staff in the USGC Mexico office are consistently working to promote the value of U.S. barley and address market access barriers.”
Learn more about the Council’s work in barley here.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.