October 5, 2007

US hopes to snag sorghum market in EU

With zero-tolerance on GM-grains, poor harvests, low stocks and a shortage of grains, the EU is ready for American sorghum, the USGC feels.

EU's feed grain industry, in dire need of grain is already turning to US sorghum, according to Chris Corry, US Grains Council senior director of international operations.

A 3,000-tonne shipment from the US has already arrived in France while another 12,000-tonne shipment is expected soon.

EU importers have already placed orders for a total of 300,000 tonnes of US sorghum, with deliveries scheduled through February.

The US is diverting sorghum it normally sells to Mexico to the EU. This means that Mexico, which has no qualms about GM corn from the US, would be buying more US corn in place of sorghum, Corry said.

The USGC will be conducting a "road show" in January, where a nutritionist and a feed mill expert will travel across the EU holding a series of workshops.

The timing was chosen so livestock operators will have had a chance to use sorghum in their rations at the start of the year, said Corry.

The USGC hopes the EU would become a consistent customer, even after the present situation.