Touted as the largest feed and livestock industry show in Southeast Asia, the U.S. Grains Council and some of its members recently took part in the 2011 VIV-Asia Trade Show in Bangkok, Thailand. According to preliminary survey results, Council members generated an estimated $38,000 in on-site sales from the event, including five brokerage trades.

Surveys also project that 12-month sales resulting from the show will reach at least $195,000 for Council members.

Funded by the Market Access Program, the Council’s participation in the biannual trade show allows it, and participating members, the opportunity to meet with current and prospective contacts and customers.

“Participating in the VIV-Asia Trade Show with the U.S. Grains Council was highly beneficial,� said Jon Miller of Northwest Grains International LLC. “Our presence there allowed us to leverage the Council’s credibility overseas, and we were able to build relationships and gain trust with future business partners.�

Other member participants were the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Mirasco and McCauley Dalton.

The opportunity to attend such events has done much for the Council’s return on investment, as evidenced by the preliminary sales. With each new relationship formed, potential new customers are introduced and U.S. agricultural products are exported.

“The success of this program was due to the assistance received from FAS-Bangkok and the availability of Market Access Program funds that allowed us to run this U.S. export promotion program with tangible sales results,� said Adel Yusupov, USGC regional director in Southeast Asia.

According to this year’s Council member survey, 2011 show attendees were especially interested in distiller’s dried grains with solubles as well as corn gluten pellets, meat and bone meal, canola pellets and Brill formulation multi-feed. All participating Council members reported making valuable connections in addition to product sales.