Trade teams are critical components of the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) work with overseas customers that help to build relationships and instill long-term confidence in the U.S. grain export system.

The Council has a busy summer and fall planned this year with more than 30 trade teams scheduled to visit the United States, starting with a team from Taiwan this week focused on learning about swine production and the U.S. coarse grains value-chain.

“One of the strengths of the Council is our ability to connect buyers and sellers,� said USGC Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kimberly Atkins. “The Council’s programs provide opportunities for both our members and our overseas customers to make new connections and build their businesses.�

These teams receive a full look at the U.S. coarse grains value-chain from seed development to export. The teams meet with some combination of agribusiness companies including seed tech providers, equipment manufacturers and ethanol plants; traders; and U.S. corn, barley or sorghum farmers. They then move to seeing different modes of transportation including export facilities in the Gulf or Pacific Northwest.

“As the trade teams travel throughout the United States, they build relationships with U.S. corn, barley and sorghum farmers and agribusinesses and gain a sense of trust in the U.S. production and export systems,� Atkins said.

“They are able to see and hear firsthand the pride that U.S. farmers have in their crops and the investments that they are making to provide a higher quality product to the export market. The understanding that is built between our industry and those team members is critical to growing the global market for U.S. grains.�

In the fall, the Council will focus its trade team activities around the biennial Export Exchangeconference, sponsored by the Council and the Renewable Fuels Association and scheduled for Detroit, Michigan from Oct. 24 to 26. 

“Before and after the conference, 17 trade teams will descend on the Midwest to see the U.S. coarse grains production and export systems firsthand,� Atkins said. “By doing this, the Council not only facilitates sales at the conference but builds long-term relationships that support future business.�

All the trade teams that come to the United States in association with Export Exchange 2016 will attend the conference to network with the domestic suppliers in attendance.

More information about the conference, for which registration will open in early July, is available here. More about incoming teams will be available in future editions of Global Update, from state grain organizations and on USGC social media, including Facebook,Twitter and Flickr.