This week, U.S. Grains Council staff is heading to international destinations to present the Council’s 2013/2014 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report to buyers and other stakeholders around the world.

“Our purpose is to give buyers reliable and timely information,” said U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Tom Sleight. “That’s what they expect from us, and the great interest in the report demonstrates that we are meeting a real need.”

The Export Quality Report measures the quality of U.S. corn sampled at the point of loading for export. Three export channels are reported: the Gulf, the Pacific Northwest, and inland terminals shipping by rail to Mexico.

“There is always some variability year-to-year and by region,” Sleight said. “This year, overall quality continues to be very good, with the average aggregate quality of export corn exceeding standards for U.S. No. 2 on all grading standards. In addition, the incidence of aflatoxin and DON is very low.

“On the other hand, 2013 was a much wetter year, and the U.S. harvest had greater moisture, more drying, lower test weight, more stress cracks and more broken kernels. But the average is strong and, despite year-to-year fluctuations, remained well above U.S. No. 2.”

Buyers in Vietnam were briefed yesterday, and USGC staff will be presenting to buyers elsewhere around the world in the coming weeks. Now in its third year, the report has become a much-anticipated annual event, with audiences exceeding expectations in many countries.

“We set out to raise the bar with data reporting and we have,” Sleight said. “We’re providing a level of information unmatched by any of our competitors, reinforcing the U.S. reputation for quality, reliability and transparency. That’s our brand, and we’re living it.”