Export Exchange 2012 Leads to Colombian Purchases

Using MAP (Market Access Program) funds, the U.S. Grains Council hosted a group of senior purchasing executives from the largest feed companies in Colombia to attend the 2012 Export Exchange in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the conference these executives were exposed to merchandisers of U.S. agricultural products. All of the participants noted that networking, information about U.S. grains, and bringing together buyers and sellers were the most relevant aspect of the conference. Concerns about the quality of U.S. grains due to the current drought, prices of grains, corn co-products and their correct usage were addressed by a panel of speakers at the conference. Issues such as logistics/transportation and their impact in grains quality were discussed with representatives of grain trading companies.

As a result of their participation in Export Exchange 2012, two Colombian companies, Escala (Colombia’s largest purchasing group) and Colanta (Colombia’s largest milk cooperative) finalized the purchase of 8,000 metric tons of U.S. corn, 4,000 metric tons of US soybean meal, and 3,000 metric tons of DDGS during Export Exchange worth approximately $5.7 million.

The Council invested US$38,000 (using MAP funding) in sponsoring the participation of the Colombian executives to the 2012 Export Exchange. As a result, over $5.7 million in export sales of U.S. grains were generated with an ROI of US$149 per MAP US$1 invested.

Colombia imports approximately 3.6 million metric tons of corn per year. Over the last couple of years the U.S. has lost its dominant market share in Colombia to South American producers. In an effort to regain this lost market share in Colombia and to build on the recent passage of the U.S. – Colombia Free Trade Agreement, the Council is actively engaged in promoting the advantages of buying U.S. feed grains in Colombia using MAP funds.