Colombia’s recent import of U.S. sorghum has created a renewed interest among buyers and a timely opportunity for U.S. promotion.

Earlier this month, Colombia imported 23,000 metric tons (905,464 bushels) of the commodity, almost filling their tariff rate quota (TRQ).

This is welcomed news for the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and U.S. sorghum producers following marketing programs in the country that are focused on capitalizing on the advantages posed by the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement (FTA), including the duty-free TRQ of 24,300 tons (956,642 bushels) in 2015 for U.S. sorghum.

“Besides some small purchases over the past couple of years, this import is the first of its kind in a long while,� said USGC Regional Director of the Western Hemisphere Marri Carrow. “This purchase has created chatter in the market, and we are hopeful for increased opportunities in the future.�

The Council has been promoting U.S. sorghum in Colombia since before the U.S.-Colombia FTA went into effect in 2012. However, sales there have faced obstacles including misperceptions that all sorghum has high-levels of tannins; little knowledge among buyers of the marketing channels for U.S. sorghum; and limited local experience in formulating sorghum in feed rations.

To overcome these hurdles, the Council has undertaken a promotion program for U.S. sorghum including activities like inviting buyers from Colombia to the Council’s Regional Buyer’s Conference and holding animal nutrition seminars.

These efforts also included bringing a trade team of Colombian end-users to the United States last week to learn more about purchasing U.S. sorghum and incorporating it into animal rations. The team toured sorghum producing areas and export facilities as well as attended a half-day workshop during which Dr. Scott Beyer, a U.S. animal nutritionist, highlighted the cost advantages of using U.S. sorghum. The team left with renewed confidence in the United States’ ability to provide high-quality sorghum that fits their needs.

“The Council will continue to work to build demand and familiarization with U.S. sorghum to encourage future imports into Colombia,� Carrow said. “This is especially true as under the FTA, the TRQ will be expanded by 5 percent annually until 2023 when it is phased out completely. This creates even greater opportunities for this U.S. commodity.�

These purchases of U.S. sorghum happen just as the Council is on the precipice of rolling out its first-ever Sorghum Harvest Quality Report next month. Like the Council’s Corn Harvest Quality Report, the sorghum quality report will provide accurate and transparent information to help international buyers of U.S. sorghum understand the initial quality of U.S. commodity sorghum as it enters merchandising channels.

This report will evaluate the quality of U.S. sorghum harvested this fall for characteristics that buyers perceive as important, such as moisture levels and chemical composition. In markets like Colombia, the report will be used to highlight the excellent quality of U.S. sorghum and promote future sales.

Click here to view past Global Update articles about USGC’s work promoting sorghum in Colombia.