USGC and U.S. Companies Showcase U.S. Distiller’s Grains in Asia

In an effort to develop trade and serious interest in U.S. origin distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) among international customers, the U.S. Grains Council hosted workshops in Miyazaki and Tokyo, Japan, May 15-16 respectively. One hundred Japanese traders and industry representatives attended the Miyazaki forum and 61 people participated in the Tokyo workshop. The seminars presented information on U.S. DDGS export availability, utilization, merchandising and shipping. They targeted Japan’s poultry, cattle and swine industries.

“We had a very positive outcome to the seminars,” said Cary Sifferath, USGC acting senior director in Japan. “In conjunction with the workshops, Council suppliers participated in a mini tradeshow which gave them the opportunity to meet with potential buyers. This allowed the chance for potential customers to ask questions face-to-face with exporters regarding U.S. DDGS export availability, utilization, merchandising and shipping.”

Council DDGS suppliers who participated in the symposium included POET, CHS, Inc., North Star Rail Intermodal LLC, International Feed, J.D. Heiskell & Co. and US Commodities.

The U.S. Grains Council held a second series of DDGS forums in Guangzhou and Shanghai, China, May 22-23. Approximately 150 Chinese traders and industry workers attended the Guangzhou workshops and over 50 people participated in the Shanghai seminar. The forums focused on the U.S. DDGS supply and demand outlook as well as the utilization of DDGS in the swine industry in the United States. U.S. Grains Council DDGS supplier members had the opportunity to connect with potential Chinese buyers and promote their products and services directly to them.

“Lots of questions were asked about supply, demand, pricing and marketing aspect of DDGS as well as the nutritional side,” said Dan Keefe, USGC manager of international operations – DDGS. “It was good we had the DDGS supplier Council members there to introduce their companies also. They were well received by the attendees.”

U.S. participants in the workshops included POET, CHS, Inc., North Star Rail Intermodal LLC, J.D. Heiskell & Co., Midwest Ag Enterprises, US Commodities, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Virginia Department of Agriculture.