Council Builds Relationship Between U.S. Barley Growers And Major Brewer, Showcases U.S. Barley Sustainability

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) invited a group of representatives from a major international brewer to visit key cogs in the U.S. barley value chain to build trust and foster future trade opportunities. The team, based in Mexico, was interested in streamlining transport logistics and sought assurances on the sustainable growing practices of barley farming.

The Council has been a consistent partner for the brewer, including helping resolve a phytosanitary issue in a 2023/24 shipment of 15,000 metric tons (689,000 bushels) of U.S. barley that retained the company’s interest in U.S. products and is now assisting it in identifying additional contracted growers.

“The brewer was eager to visit suppliers in Idaho and North Dakota and study the shipping process to be assured grain quality in transportation,” said Javier Chávez, USGC senior marketing manager and escort for the program.

“The team was very impressed with how, through sustainable practices farmers lower input costs like water and fertilizer and evaluate new barley varieties for potential future trials, all exciting prospects that can take U.S. barley exports to the next level.”

The team arrived in North Dakota and attended educational sessions about barley production practices, industry trends, rail transportation, quality inspections, contracts and pricing at the Northern Crops Institute. Other stops in the state included a tour of a malting facility and learning about its shipping procedures and visiting a local barley farm.

The University of Idaho then hosted the delegation at its Aberdeen Research and Extension Center for an overview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s barley breeding program, opening possibilities for future use applications and beer varieties using U.S. malt.

Later that day, USGC member Mountain Malt invited the group to tour its facility and offices, as well as view nearby farms and irrigation systems to showcase the resource conservation central to U.S. producers’ growing practices.

Additional meetings at the Idaho Grain Inspection Service and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture helped reassure participants of quality standards used when U.S. barley is inspected for exporting to Mexico.

Finally, the group met with an array of feed cooperatives, farms and irrigation facilities to lay the groundwork for future sales before returning to Mexico with updated knowledge of the U.S. barley value chain.

“These representatives began the program with concerns about product health and integrity but left with a strong trust in U.S. growers and the quality assurance procedures throughout the growing, harvesting, malting and transportation processes,” Chávez said.

“They are also convinced of U.S. farmers’ ability meet the company’s sustainability goals, giving U.S. barley a leg-up compared to barley from other origins.”

Learn more about the Council’s work in barley here.