Seven staff members of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), National Sorghum Producers Association (NSP) and United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) traveled to China this week to promote U.S. sorghum and assess current trends in the market.
U.S. sorghum was introduced into this market by a joint effort of the Council and USCP in 2013. Since then China has rapidly grown to become the top market for U.S. sorghum, purchasing more than 7.9 million metric tons (311 million bushels) as of June 25 for the 2014/2015 marketing year, which is more than 75 percent of U.S. sorghum production in the 2013/2014 growing season.
“This week the Council and U.S. sorghum industry are building on the foundation they laid a few years ago to further promote U.S. sorghum to interested buyers and end-users in China,� said Kimberly Atkins, USGC director of global programs. “These types of missions in China are very important because the U.S. industry has the opportunity to make connections, build trust and foster relationships with key players in the Chinese agricultural industry.
“Overall, this mission is an excellent opportunity for the Council to promote U.S. coarse grains, in particular sorghum.�
The participants met with other major buyers and end-users of coarse grains in China and also visited a major port. The team’s visit will conclude with further meetings with major trading groups.
“By meeting with key contacts in China, we have not only improved their understanding of global markets but also established connections with them that are invaluable,� said Tim Lust, NSP chief executive officer. “We hope this will result in the uninterrupted access to China’s market for coarse grains and co-products, in addition to growing exports of sorghum to even greater levels.�
Joining Atkins and Lust on the mission included:
- Florentino Lopez, USCP executive director
- Alvaro Cordero, USGC manager of global trade
- Bryan Lohmar, USGC director in China
- Junyang Jiang, USGC assistant director in China
- Robert Hurley, USGC director of programs in China
Click here to view more photos from this mission to China.