{"id":3859,"date":"2015-07-02T13:54:02","date_gmt":"2015-07-02T13:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grains.org\/ltamex\/u-s-sorghum-leaders-travel-to-china-to-assess-build-demand\/"},"modified":"2015-07-02T13:54:02","modified_gmt":"2015-07-02T13:54:02","slug":"u-s-sorghum-leaders-travel-to-china-to-assess-build-demand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grains.org\/ltamex\/u-s-sorghum-leaders-travel-to-china-to-assess-build-demand\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Sorghum Leaders Travel to China to Assess, Build Demand"},"content":{"rendered":"

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. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This 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,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd said Kimberly Atkins, USGC director of global programs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153These 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.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Overall, this mission is an excellent opportunity for the Council to promote U.S. coarse grains, in particular sorghum.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd<\/p>\n

The participants met with other major buyers and end-users of coarse grains in China and also visited a major port. The team\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s visit will conclude with further meetings with major trading groups. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153By 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,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd said Tim Lust, NSP chief executive officer. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We hope this will result in the uninterrupted access to China\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s market for coarse grains and co-products, in addition to growing exports of sorghum to even greater levels.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd<\/p>\n

Joining Atkins and Lust on the mission included:<\/p>\n