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Providing information on grain supply and reliability

While many countries initially define food security as self-sufficiency, the U.S. Grains Council builds relationships that help them expand their options by developing confidence in trade and in U.S. agriculture as a reliable, long-term supplier.

An important component of building confidence is providing trading partners with reliable information about U.S. agriculture production and technology, product quantity and quality, and America’s commitment to a fair and transparent international trading system. Providing international buyers with technical assistance on capacity building and trade servicing issues also supports this objective.

When the Council was first formed, its members recognized that being a provider of timely and reliable information would pay dividends in the long-run – and they couldn’t have been more right. Such activities have earned the Council a global reputation as a catalyst and problem solver for agriculture advancement – a bridge between international customers and U.S. farmers and agribusinesses.

For example, in 2011, the Council engaged in a yearlong effort to solve a challenge for U.S. sorghum sales to Europe. An outdated tariff provision had set an inaccurate levy on U.S. sorghum in Europe, which put U.S. sorghum at a price disadvantage. By partnering with grain associations and others in Europe, the Council introduced a proposal to establish a new reference price for sorghum imports – a proposal that was accepted and made U.S. sorghum more competitive in the market. It was a win not only for U.S. sorghum producers, but also for European feed millers and their livestock customers who were looking for more feed options.

Other examples abound, from demonstrating the effectiveness of the U.S. grain testing and grading to investigating trade rules surrounding U.S. DDGS. The launch of the first corn quality survey in Council history is another. The survey and its accompanying report, which will be released in early 2012, provide data on the U.S. corn crop in a transparent fashion, answering some of the top questions of U.S. corn importers.

For more examples of U.S. Grains Council efforts in assisting buyers and sellers – and providing reliable market and trade information – be sure to explore the online annual report at www.usgcAnnualReport.com. There you’ll find articles, trade data, videos and more highlighting the Council’s efforts on your behalf in 2011.