February 6, 2008

US corn exports rise in Asia and Middle East

US corn exports are up in Asia and Middle East with 5.7 million tonnes imported compared to 3 million tonnes the same period last year, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service.

The US Grains Council said that South Korea has been the driving force in Asia. Its imports have increased over a million tonnes since the end of January 2007, having so far imported 3.9 million tonnes of US corn.

The North African market has also been huge consumers with Egypt, Morocco and Algeria being the biggest importers. The council has been actively working with users in those countries to promote US corn and its by-products.

Aside from corn, sorghum sales have also increased, especially to the EU. Latest reports show imports topping off at 2.7 million tonnes against 500,000 tonnes. Major importers were Spain, Holland, France, Denmark, Italy and the UK.

Chris Corry, USGC senior director of international operations, said this is the first time that the US exports sorghum to the Northern European countries.

As a result of the EU's biotech policies, member countries' access to corn from the US has been severely restricted.

Erick Erickson, USGC special assistant for planning, evaluation and projects, elaborated that the poor harvest in Europe has pushed the need for EU countries to import more feeding ingredients.