U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) Director in China Manuel Sanchez and USGBC Consultant Xiaoming Wang recently traveled to Nantong, China to present on the global production, supply and demand of sorghum at the 14th International and Domestic Sorghum and Barley Market Seminar, a leading market information-sharing platform for the grains and oil seeds sectors in China.
“This event is considered the single most important platform for the sorghum and barley industries in China, gathering key stakeholders including grain traders, malt companies, breweries and industry institutions, to discuss market dynamics and share sector insights,” Sanchez said.
“This is the third time the Council has had the honor of participating, and it gives our team here the opportunity to expose stakeholders to the qualities of U.S. sorghum and assist them in procuring it to suit their requirements.”
This year’s seminar was attended by more than 160 industry representatives from across China, and the market dynamics shared by Sanchez during his remarks, particularly insights into U.S. farmers’ ability to reliably produce and supply sorghum, were very well received by the audience.
“Despite the development of modern technologies, we still feel there is not enough transparency in the sharing of market information in the sorghum and barley sectors,” remarked Mr. Wang Ni Yong Chao, sales representative at a Tianjin grain trading company.
“This is one of the rare industry events each year when I can cross-check what I’ve learned about the market with my peers and experts to get a clearer picture of what the market looks like. The insights like these are like a breath of fresh air for us.”
Sanchez’s presentation also sparked further questions and discussions from the audience regarding the unique qualities of U.S. sorghum and the benefits of using U.S. sorghum in feed formulations during the following Q&A session and throughout the day.
“Maintaining reliable access to China’s sorghum market is crucial for U.S. agriculture. It expands demand for a staple crop, boosts farm income and reinforces America’s role in global feed and food supply chains,” Sanchez said.
“China’s use of sorghum primarily for livestock feed and industrial products creates an important export market that supports U.S. farm revenues, stabilizes prices and strengthens rural economies across sorghum-growing regions.”
Learn more about the Council’s work in China on the organization’s website.