USGC Meeting Highlights United Effort Required to Sustain Export Market Development Programs

More than 200 delegates attended the U.S. Grains Council’s 10th International Marketing Conference and 53rd Annual Membership Meeting in Charleston, S.C., to review strategies and opportunities for competing in the rapidly changing global marketplace.

“All of us understand that this is an especially challenging year for coarse grains exports due to the U.S. drought and the short crop,” said Tom Sleight, USGC president and CEO. “But all of us also know that the underlying dynamics point to rapidly rising global demand. The weather set us back this year, but U.S. producers and agribusinesses are ready to rebound strong.”

Sleight also emphasized that now is the time to redouble the Council’s efforts – with customer servicing to sustain export demand and ensure that the United States can regain its market share next year, and with continued efforts in policy, demand building and co-product marketing. Through the USDA’s export promotion programs, including the Foreign Market Development and Market Access Program, the Council is able to implement and sustain these efforts.

Photos from the meeting can be found on the Council’s Flickr account.