November 22, 2010

US Grains Council Corn Mission to develop markets in Asia

Following past success, the US Grains Council Corn Mission will continue to  work at developing diverse corn markets, from established achievements in Japan and Taiwan to China's emergence as a leading market for DDGS and a new buyer of US corn.

"Ideally, the mission's outcome is to increase our exports," said Larry Klever, an Iowa corn farmer and director serving on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, who is participating in the mission. "With the people we're seeing, we'll be addressing their concerns. We have an excellent corn crop that will store well, and that's the message I look forward to delivering."

The mission schedule is a 'who's who' of important Asian corn customers. In Japan, the largest importer of US corn, the delegation will meet with feed manufacturers and feed trade groups, with key individual customers like Zen-Noh, and with three major corn processing associations.

The Taiwan agenda includes discussions with corn users, visits to Taiwanese manufacturers of corn-based plastic products, and a tour of a major swine operation.

In China, the group will delve into the outlook for DDGS through meetings with traders and DDGS users plus visits to a feedmill and a container port.

The six-person mission, scheduled from November 28-December 10, includes Klever, Kent Kleinschmidt from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Kenny McNamar and Becky Frankenbach from the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, John Whaley from the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, and Kelsey Pope representing the Nebraska Corn Board.