Virtual conference produces real deals for American grain
(Minnesota Corn and Minnesota Department of Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen virtually hosted a Japan trade delegation)
In 2018, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) hosted the Export Exchange in Minneapolis, bringing together buyers from around the globe to learn about American grain and ethanol, and make deals. The event was set for Kansas City this year, but was moved online due to COVID-19.
The Virtual Grain Exchange took place last week with more than 1,200 registrants from 54 countries. The event was the culmination of more than six months of planning for USGC.
The online platform allowed attendees to attend speakers and real-time discussions about advancements in American commodities, peruse a virtual exhibit hall and schedule one-on-one meetings with U.S. corn, sorghum, barley and ethanol suppliers.
While it is hard to replace the in-person hallway conversations that lead to deals, Cary Sifferath, senior director of global programs for USGC, said the virtual format brought in more people from around the globe. A typical in-person Export Exchange brings in about 250 international customers; last week’s virtual version had about 650 people take part in the conference.
“We are able to virtually get in front of the buyers we have worked with for decades, but we also were able to reach out to new participants, whether it is individuals looking to buy corn or an emerging country like Vietnam where they have new companies looking to make a deal.”
Sifferath said participating countries in up-and-coming regions of the world were able to participate when they otherwise wouldn’t make the trip. Representatives from East and West Africa and Southeast Asia participated this year, for example.
An important part of Export Exchange are the tours that take place before and after the conference, bringing potential buyers to American grain farms, distributors, exporters and ethanol plants. That effort also went virtual this year with participating states recording virtual tours of farms and more, followed by an online meeting connecting hosts of each tour with international attendees.
Minnesota Corn co-hosted a Japanese virtual trade team visit in partnership with U.S. Grains Council as part of USGC’s U.S. Grain Exchange event activities. The first ever Minnesota Corn virtual visit was attended by nearly thirty Japanese feed corn millers. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and Red Wing Grain manager Jim Larson joined Minnesota Corn directors Jim O’Connor, Les Anderson, Tim Waibel and Harold Wolle for a Q&A session and virtual video tours highlighting growers’ family farms, and corn quality and transportation-related topics. (You can view each video here).
Through their investment in the Minnesota corn check-off, farmers are fueling efforts by USGC to build export markets for American corn. The current marketing year is off to a very promising start for new crop sales, and Sifferath said meetings like what was held between Japan and Minnesota Corn are vital to keeping the momentum going.
“Japan is a very consistent buyer, but it is important to give them the latest updates on what the crop is looking like in Minnesota,” Sifferath said. “They are very interested in how corn quality compares to last year, and it is important to take the opportunity to relay that positive message.”
Sifferath said the current plan is for Export Exchange to return in person next year in Kansas City, followed by Minneapolis in 2022. The event typically is held every two years.
Linder Farm Network joined Minnesota Corn directors as they filmed each virtual tour to cover the effort made possible through farmers’ investment in the corn check-off:
