Earlier this month, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), in partnership with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and U.S. Wheat Associates, brought together U.S. exporters and end-users across Southeast Asia for the Ag Supply Chain Asia conference (ASCA) held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Over the past 18 years, the conference has become an industry event that brings together more than 300 participants from major feed, livestock production and grain trading companies in the region.
The event provided insights on subjects set to shape the agricultural landscape in years to come, featuring topics including macro and micro economic market outlooks, freight market trends, supply chain conditions and infrastructure; and global aquaculture outlook and challenges, among others. The Council also highlighted its growing focus on corn fermented proteins and high-protein DDGS.
USGC Manager of Sustainability, Policy and Innovation Carlos Suarez also took part in the event, introducing the Council’s sustainability programs, highlighting the newly released Corn Sustainability Assurance Protocol (CSAP) and Sustainable Corn Exports (SCE) web platform.
“The CSAP compiles the broad and robust laws and regulations U.S. corn farmers already abide by across multiple impact categories, while at the same time defining continuous improvement goals and showcasing how U.S. corn farmers work to adopt leading production technologies and practices,” Suarez said.
The Council’s goal was for customers to walk away from the event with a preference for U.S.-origin feed grains. The event allowed participants to reestablish old relationships while creating new ones with the next generation of industry participants. The ASCA conference is an example of joint cooperation between U.S. organizations that carry similar objectives of fostering U.S. feed grain and oilseed sales in the Southeast Asia region.
“This year’s theme was linking partners for a sustainable future because as competition increases from alternative origins allowing more choice, our customers are demanding higher quality partnerships, ones that enable sustainable growth for themselves, their customers and our planet,” said Caleb Wurth, USGC regional director for Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Learn more about the Council’s work in Southeast Asia and Oceania 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.