Meeting with more than 25 key customers and trade partners in Japan, Taiwan and China, a six-member delegation of U.S. corn farmers and industry representatives returned Saturday from a 13-day trade mission.
Exploring the use of U.S. corn and its co-products in established and emerging markets, the 2010 U.S. Grains Council Corn Mission worked to strengthen relationships and encourage future partnerships with foreign agricultural producers.
“We had very positive visits in all three countries,� noted Kent Kleinschmidt, a corn farmer from Emden, Ill., and treasurer of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. “We assured our customers that U.S. farmers can and will produce the quantity of corn to meet their needs at the high quality they desire.�
The delegation began their mission in Japan, the number-one buyer of U.S. corn — importing more than 625 million bushels in 2009. While there, the delegation focused conversations on the quality of the 2010 U.S. corn crop when meeting with trade partners and end-users.
“Japan’s number-one concern is quality,� noted Larry Klever, a farmer from Audubon, Iowa, representing the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “The United States is well positioned to meet their demands. This year’s corn crop produced hard kernels, which should transport very well and maintain high quality.�
While in Taiwan, the group aimed to maintain important relations with key traders, users and buyers of U.S. corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) – a co-product of U.S. ethanol production.
“As the fourth-largest importer of U.S. corn, Taiwan is a very important customer,� said Kenny McNamar, a grain farmer from Gorin, Mo., and president of the Missouri Corn Growers Association. “While focus in Japan is primarily on quality, for Taiwanese markets, U.S. farmers must also ensure our prices are competitive with countries, such as Argentina and Brazil, in order to maintain our market share.�
The last leg of the mission brought the delegation to China where they met with grain traders and explored the outlook for U.S. corn and DDGS. Visits were also made to a feed mill and container port to gain a better understanding of the trade process.
“China has unlimited potential, which is just now starting to crack open,� concluded John Whaley, corn farmer from Brook, Ind., and director for the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. “They will need to import — the question now is from who and how much. Whether or not they take U.S. corn, China’s corn needs will increase global corn demand, strengthening corn markets worldwide.�
Other members of the mission included Becky Frankenbach, director of communication for the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Kelsey Pope, agriculture promotion coordinator for the Nebraska Corn Board.