The USGBC Hosted Japanese Corn Buyers on a Supply Chain Tour of the US

Image: USGBC

The US Grains and Biofuels Council (USGBC) brought together maize buyers from Japan’s food and feed sectors with representatives from the US maize production, processing, quality control and export sectors as part of a programme organised in the states of Iowa and Washington.

The programme, which took place last week, offered industry representatives from Japan the opportunity to examine the various stages of the US maize value chain first-hand and to gain insight into the production regions, quality standards and export processes of US-origin maize.

Tommy Hamamoto, Director of the USGBC in Japan, noted that the delegation consisted primarily of representatives who were new to the sector and had relatively little experience in purchasing feed grains. Hamamoto stated that one of the programme’s main objectives was to provide a general overview of the characteristics of US maize and to bring participants together with companies involved in production, quality testing and export processes to Japan.

The US maize supply chain from production to export

During the Iowa leg of the programme, the delegation visited the river terminal of USGBC member ADM in Burlington. There, they learnt about the transport of US agricultural products for export and the role of river logistics within the supply chain.

The delegation also visited two ethanol plants and a farm to examine maize production and the product’s various applications first-hand.

During the programme held at Iowa State University’s Kent Feed Mill facility, a demonstration was conducted on the use of US maize in feed formulations. Participants were shown practical applications regarding the effective utilisation of maize’s nutritional value in feed formulations.

In the final part of the programme, the delegation travelled to the state of Washington, where they visited a logistics company and an export terminal. During these visits, they examined the logistics and shipping processes used to deliver US products to customers in Asia.

The aim is to maintain relations with the Japanese market

USGBC Japan Director Hamamoto stated that seeing the quality and safety systems within the US agricultural export chain first-hand bolstered potential buyers’ knowledge of and confidence in US-origin products.

Hamamoto also noted that direct discussions with producers and the observation of shipping processes reinforced participants’ understanding of the quality of US maize and the transparency within the supply chain.

The USGBC noted that Japan has long been a key trading partner for US agricultural products and that such programmes for industry representatives contribute to the development of relationships with future buyers.