USGC China Staff Reel In Attendees At CIIE With A Taste Of Craft Beer Made With U.S. Barley Malt

U.S. Grains Council (USGC) staff in China took part in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) last week in Shanghai. The group operated a booth at the event, highlighting the Council’s efforts promoting U.S. corn, barley, sorghum and related products, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol in China and around the world.

There, USGC staff offered a taste of craft beer made from U.S. barley malt to all conference attendees. The quality and taste of this beer were of high interest to the visitors attending CIIE this year.

“As a first-time attendee, I was impressed by the magnitude of the conference and the numerous exhibitors showcasing their products at this import-themed, national-level expo. I am pleased with our participation at the Expo, as it was a great place to meet Chinese buyers, government officials, suppliers and partners from all over the country,” said Manuel Sanchez, USGC director in China.

The team met with U.S. grain customers including SDIC International Trade Co. Ltd. and Aonong Group. The team also received visits from long-term partners including the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Anima By-products (CFNA). Additionally, James Heller, consul general of the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, also visited the booth. Heller and Sanchez discussed grain trade between the U.S. and China to better understand the growing demand for feed grains in what has become a top market for U.S corn in recent years.

Since its debut in 2018, CIIE has been an opportunity to connect countries and regions worldwide while promoting global trade and economic growth. U.S. grain trade has played a big part in the larger Sino-U.S. agriculture trade in recent years. Each year, the Council participates in this event and showcases the U.S. coarse grain industry and how it continues to support the development of China’s feed and livestock sector.

The Council’s China office also used this year’s event to commemorate the Council’s 40th anniversary in the country and to thank customers in China for their long-standing friendship and cooperation since the office’s inception in 1982.

“Wow, 40 years,” said USGC Vice President Cary Sifferath. “That shows the commitment USGC and our members have for market development and working in key demand-building markets. Forty years of working with China’s feed and livestock industry, as well as their corn processing and food and beverage industries, over that time. The partnership between USGC and the China industry, through some unique and even trying times, has brought us to where we are today with China being a top customer of grains in all forms.”

China was the second-largest market for U.S. grains in all forms in the 2021/2022 marketing year with exports totaling 25.8 million metric tons, or 1 billion bushels, worth $11.5 billion. By commodity, China was the top market for U.S. sorghum, the second-largest market for U.S. corn, pork and pork products and poultry and poultry products, and the third-largest market for U.S. beef and beef products.