USDA released its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) February 9, 2010. It projects a 10 million bushel increase from the previous month for U.S. sorghum exports to Japan and Mexico. The U.S. Grains Council and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) welcome this news as they actively promote U.S. sorghum in those markets. “2009 was a success story for revitalizing the U.S. sorghum export market to Mexico,â€� said Dr. Virgil Smail, USCP executive director. “We linked many Mexican buyers and U.S. sellers in an effort to achieve such success. This spring or summer, there are plans to do the same thing in Japan.â€� Last November, USGC Manager of International Operations for Marketing Alvaro Cordero traveled to Japan to assess the market for U.S. sorghum. Cordero said 7 percent of Japan’s 20 million metric ton annual feed grains import market is sorghum. “There is plenty of room to grow,â€� he said.

WASDE projects corn used for ethanol 100 million bushels higher, reflecting the latest ethanol production data from the Energy Information Agency. USDA said recently lower corn prices continue to support profitability for ethanol producers. USDA projects corn exports for 2009/2010 50 million bushels lower due to increased competition from Argentina. U.S. barley exports are unchanged from the previous month, projecting 5 million bushels.