May 16, 2006

Indonesia to receive first shipment of US corn in 2 years

Indonesia would be receiving its two Panamax shipments of US corn later this month, marking the first time in two years that the country has bought US corn, the US Grains Council said in a report on Friday (May 12).

Two Panamax shipments of US corn arriving in Cigading, Indonesia, would be followed by a third in June forming a total shipment of 167,270 tonnes.

The USDA said it is likely more orders are on the way.

The Grains Council has long conducted programmes with Indonesian grain buyers to familiarise them with the US trading system and convinced them of the high quality of US corn. Efforts are starting to pay off now, said Adel Yusupov, manager of international operations

Even though Indonesia imported 400,000 tonnes of corn last year, none came from the US.

Ken Hobbie, US Grains Council president and CEO said US corn export sales continue to exceed expectations - surpassing 1.1 million tonnes for the week ending May 5.