More than 160 Japanese buyers, traders and end-users turned out last week to attend the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 2015 Corn Outlook Conference in Tokyo. A blue-chip panel presented a detailed assessment of the U.S. supply and demand situation, key policy factors influencing the evolution of U.S. agricultural trade policy and the U.S. corn market outlook for 2015.

Iowa corn producer Greg Alber, a key presenter who traveled to the conference to represent U.S. producers, fielded questions about U.S. farmers’ planting intentions, the choice between genetically-modified (GM) and non-GM varieties, and the potential impact of softening oil prices on U.S. ethanol production. 

“As a producer, I’m always watching price signals,” Alber said. “My message to the audience was that I will grow what my customers want to buy, and that the United States is committed to the Japanese market. I was aware that this was a sophisticated audience, but it was still eye-opening to see the level of detail with which the Japanese study U.S. corn production.”

Alber’s presentation to the Corn Outlook Conference capped an intensive series of visits with industry representatives and producers in both Taiwan and Japan.

“We had good news this year, with a record harvest, high–quality crop and competitive pricing,” Alber said. “But our customers in both Taiwan and Japan are already looking to next year, and they are very alert to any changes in the market. It is clear that constant communication and timely information is highly valued.” 

The Japanese livestock industry is heavily dependent on imported coarse grains. Tommy Hamamoto, the Council’s director in Japan, emphasized that Japanese buyers have a preference for the quality and reliability of U.S. corn, but that the Japanese market cannot be taken for granted.

The Corn Outlook Conference has become a highly anticipated annual event in Japan. Events like the conference, as well as constant interaction with Japanese traders and producers, are investments made by U.S. producers through the Council in keeping that partnership strong for many years to come.

Click here to view more photos from the conference.