October 18, 2006

US captures 89 percent of the feed grains market in Japan

The US captured the lion's share of the feed grains market in Japan during the first eight months of the current year, according to official trade statistics from Japan's Ministry of Finance, published in US Grains Council Global Update newsletter, Oct.13

US corn, barley and sorghum for feed and non-feed uses accounted for nearly 89 percent of all Japanese imports of these grains.

Corn imports for starch reached 2.3 million tonnes (90.5 million bushels) comprising 94.5 percent of Japan's total starch imports. Corn imports for starch production were the largest importer/end user of value enhanced or identity preserved corn from the US, said Cary Sifferath, USGC direct in Japan.

Sifferath noted Council programmes with Japanese corn processors, including visits to the US for the Corn Utilisation and Technology Conference in June and the Council's annual value enhanced grain conference were key to maintaining and growing US market share in the sector.

The August feed grain sales did not include the results of Japan's fourth Simultaneous Buy and Sell Tender held on Sep 27.

More than 131,000 tonnes (6 million bushels) of US barley was purchased through the tender, the Council's office in Tokyo learnt.