Export Exchange 2014: 200+ Buyers from 41 Countries Spell Success

With attendees including 210 international attendees representing 41 countries and an additional 200 U.S. attendees representing every sector of the coarse grains value chain, Export Exchange 2014 was this year’s premiere global grain trade conference. Wrapping up on Oct. 22, the conference was a resounding success for both international buyers and U.S. suppliers.

Held every other year by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Export Exchange brings together international buyers and U.S. sellers of corn, sorghum, barley, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn gluten meal and corn gluten feed. During the three day event and pre- and post-conference site visits. This year, 18 buyer teams visited farms, elevators, ethanol plants, technology providers and export terminals in 19 states associated with the conference. These individuals had the opportunity to see the scope and sophistication of the U.S. production complex.

Export Exchange attendees had plenty of opportunity to do business, both directly and by making the connections that will facilitate future sales.

“The point of Export Exchange isn’t just the sales that were made during the conference,” said Ron Gray, USGC chairman. “For us, this effort is about establishing and nurturing relationships with our customers that will continue to grow when they get back home and in the years to come.”

In addition to meeting with suppliers, foreign attendees at Export Exchange heard conversations on the global supply and demand situation, key economic drivers affecting the global feed grains trade; and the latest developments in shipping, financing and the U.S. policy environment.

The United States is the world’s largest exporter of coarse grains, and with a record corn harvest just now reaching export channels, the pre- and post- Export Exchange tours are an opportunity for the world’s top buyers to see the U.S. supply and quality for themselves.

Teams hailed from regions as diverse as Egypt, Japan, China, the European Union and Southeast Asia. The Council works directly in all of these markets, with offices in 10 locations outside of the United States.

For more information about Export Exchange 2014, please visit www.exportexchange.org.

Click play below to hear from Ron Gray about the conference.

http://usgc.podbean.com/e/hear-about-export-exchange-2014-from-usgc-chairman-ron-gray-1414082072/