The Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Cooperator’s Conference (ACC) held in Cebu, Philippines, last week offered a unique venue for U.S. suppliers to interact with relevant trade participants and top-level decision makers in the region.

Designed to foster stronger business relationships between importers and exporters, the conference allowed participants to engage on the latest trade and product-related issues and presented several networking and knowledge sharing opportunities. It has been a premier industry event for more than 12 years and is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Soybean Export Council and several member organizations.

“The conference brings most of the major importers together,� said Cary Sifferath, senior director of global programs at the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), who attended the event. “Many companies see that as an excellent opportunity to meet buyers in one location.�

This year, more than 200 high-level executives from major feed, livestock production and grain trading companies participated, an all-time high for attendance.

With a theme of “Building Sustainable Agribusiness for the Next Decade,� speakers included David Adams of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, who spoke on the outlook for the U.S. corn crop, and Ryan Sauer of Flint Hills Resources, who spoke on the market outlook for U.S. distiller’s dried grain with solubles (DDGS). Both speakers entertained questions from buyers and spoke extensively on this year’s growing season.

Every year, the conference results in actual sales of U.S. corn, DDGS, soybeans, soybean meal and wheat. The value of trade negotiated at this year’s conference will be reported later this year.

Southeast Asia continues to be an important location for U.S. grain exports. Demand driven by population growth and an emerging middle class presents new opportunities for trade, which the Council is working to grow through trade teams, missions and other engagement opportunities.