Given the integration of the North American markets, buyers in Mexico are among the most responsive customers to shifts in U.S. markets. Timely and accurate information is valuable to sophisticated buyers, and the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) annual Corn Harvest Quality Report and Corn Export Cargo Quality Report have found eager audiences in the Mexican feed and livestock industries.

“The Council’s dual corn quality reports are scoring points with Mexican buyers,” said Julio Hernandez, the Council’s director in Mexico. “We also appreciate two of our delegates, Jim Steuver and Bill Christ, for providing a U.S. farmers’ perspective, which is of great interest to our partners in Mexico.”

Hernandez was reporting on a recent country-wide swing in which he presented the 2014/2015 Corn Harvest Quality Report to audiences in four cities. The report shows that the record 2014 U.S. crop is of high quality with only minor variations on the standardized test parameters, consistent with anticipated weather-induced effects – meaning excellent quality and no surprises.

The presentation team also included Javier Chavez, USGC marketing specialist in Mexico. While the immediate topic was the recently released harvest quality report, Chavez noted that buyers were already looking ahead to the companion Corn Export Cargo Quality Report, which will become available this spring.

“The harvest quality report is followed by the export cargo quality report, which is even more valuable to international buyers,” Chavez said. “That won’t be available for another few weeks, but our contacts are already asking questions. This shows how much they have come to rely on the Council for timely information.”

A consistent concern voiced by Mexican buyers is the possibility for mycotoxins, but buyers also pressed for information about planting intentions and price expectations for next year. Mexico is the largest export market for U.S. corn this marketing year with accumulated exports and outstanding sales totaling 8.3 million metric tons (327 million bushels) as of Feb. 19. As the top buyer, the Mexican feed industry tracks U.S. supply, demand and pricing very carefully.

The first editions of the Council’s Corn Harvest Quality and Corn Export Cargo Quality Reports debuted following the 2011 harvest. They have been presented by the Council’s international staff to thousands of buyers and other interested parties in key markets around the world. Unique in the U.S. industry, the reports help maintain the status of the United States as the world’s most transparent and reliable supplier of corn.

Click here to view photos of the Corn Harvest Quality Report rollout in Mexico.