Japan and Korea are two key markets for U.S. corn, importing 11.7 million metric tons (460.6 million bushels) and 4.9 million tons (192.9 million bushels) for the 2013/2014 marketing year. Yet, a high level of engagement with the industry, trade and government is still needed to defend U.S. market share.

Farmers and staff representing the U.S. Grains Council traveled to these two markets Sept. 7 to 14 to engage key buyers and end-users, providing insights on the current U.S. corn crop condition as well as the global supply and demand outlook. The Council delegation included grain producers from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Ohio as well as a distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) marketing manager.

The Japanese and Korean buyers and end-users were very pleased to hear about this year’s abundant, high-quality U.S. corn crop that will be available for export in the coming year. This delegation helped build on the established relationships between the United States and two of its key international markets, stressing the importance of trade and promoting the United States as the preferred, reliable, long-term supplier of quality corn and related products.

The mission completed a seminar in Japan that was attended by more than 160 end-users and importers and met with three different U.S. grain buyers and government organizations. While in Korea, the mission visited two key buying organizations, toured a grain handling facility and hosted a seminar for more than 70 end-users, independent buyers, buying group leaders, traders and reporters.

Topics covered during the seminars included the producers’ perspective on the 2014 U.S. corn crop; harvest and quality; technologies used by U.S. producers; and the supply and demand outlooks for corn and DDGS.

These types of missions are essential for building demand and fostering relationships around the world for U.S. coarse grains and co-products.

Click here to view photos from this mission.