Jointly organized by the U.S. Grains Council and the American Soybean Association-International Marketing, the 6th Asia Grain Transportation Conference generated more than $113 million worth of U.S. agricultural product sales, including corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS).
More than 130 representatives from 52 companies gathered in Singapore on May 16, 2012, to hear presentations on the latest developments in global agriculture, and to make sales deals with their counterparts across the ocean. Participants included poultry and livestock integrators, feed and flour millers, soy food and beverage producers, regional and international trading companies, shipping companies, and port handlers.
“A key objective of this annual conference is to bring together prospective buyers and sellers to an environment that encourages networking and business discussions,” said Adel Yusupov, USGC regional director in Southeast Asia. “Council members and U.S. exporters benefit significantly by being able to meet with major importers from throughout the region in one location.”
The central focus of the conference was the evolution of the grain business and commodity price outlook, and ocean transportation for agricultural products in bulk and containers. Reflecting the diversity of participants from all industry sectors, however, a wide range of other subjects were reviewed as well, including outlook on the dry bulk and container freight market, impact of the Panama Canal expansion on trade, cargo insurance and the latest developments in the U.S. export and transportation systems.
“The U.S. Grains Council recognizes that building lasting relationships is key to increasing U.S. agricultural exports,” said Dr. Wendell Shauman, USGC chairman. “The Council offers international customers a bridge to U.S. grains and co-products. There is no greater example of this idea in practice than the conference in Southeast Asia. The Council, and other co-operators, puts together buyers and sellers to foster trade relationships that will hopefully result in sales for many years to come.”