U.S. Grains Council staff just concluded a successful “road show� that brought together sorghum marketers with Mexican customers in Guadalajara, Torreón, Monterrey and Merida for briefings on U.S. sorghum supply, demand and pricing.

“We had 20 to 30 customers join us at each stop, and their comments at the debriefings were very positive,� reported Alvaro Cordero, USGC manager of international operations – marketing.

“The ‘road show’ gave them a chance to broaden their contacts,� he explained. “It was also an opportunity for trade servicing, for us to answer their questions.�

Every year brings different issues, according to Cordero. This year much of the discussion was on crop availability.

“We were also able to work with customers on sorghum standards and demonstrate how they can customize their purchasing to buy the quality of sorghum they require,� he said.

Julio Hernandez, USGC director in Mexico; Patricia Esqueda, USGC technical director in Mexico; and Cordero traveled with major sorghum trade representatives from Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Gavilon/DeBruce, and Attebury Grain Inc.

“Council efforts like this allow people to jump ahead of typical single partner relationships and open up their sorghum buying opportunities,� Cordero reported.

Mexico imported 633,000 metric tons (25 million bushels) of U.S. sorghum so far this year. In 2009/2010 Mexico was the largest export market for U.S. sorghum, purchasing almost 2.7 million tons (89 million bushels).