Photo credit: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) and United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) recently conducted a trade mission to Malaysia and Vietnam aimed at expanding opportunities for U.S. sorghum in food and feed markets across Southeast Asia.
The effort concluded with participation in ILDEX Vietnam, a biennial international livestock, dairy, meat processing and aquaculture exposition that serves as a major agricultural trade event in Asia.
The delegation included USGBC Regional Marketing Manager Rowena Ngumbang, Regional Trade Manager Caleb Floss, Regional Technical Consultant Dr. Budi Tangendjaja, Vietnam Representative Nghia Tran Trong and Vietnam Representative Gigi Vu Nga. Representing the USCP were Director of Emerging Markets and Grower Leader Development Shelee Padgett and Consultant Florentino Lopez.
During the mission, the group visited Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, where it met with a snack food producer and toured a port terminal. The meetings focused on advancing the use of U.S. sorghum in food applications and strengthening connections with potential buyers.
According to USGBC, Malaysia's industrialized and diversified economy is creating demand for higher-quality food products among increasingly health-conscious consumers, presenting opportunities for sorghum-based products.
The delegation then traveled to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to participate in ILDEX Vietnam. At the exhibition, the team met with grain traders and end users and facilitated introductions between prospective buyers and U.S. sorghum suppliers.
In addition to activities at the trade show, the group held meetings with feed and food industry stakeholders across the region to discuss the nutritional characteristics and production practices associated with U.S. sorghum.
USGBC noted that growing demand for poultry, pork, aquaculture and dairy products in Vietnam is increasing interest in competitively priced feed grains and co-products. Rising incomes and a large young population are contributing to continued growth in those sectors.
The organizations said consumer interest in sorghum for both food and feed uses is creating new market opportunities throughout Southeast Asia. As a follow-up to the meetings, USGBC is working to coordinate product samples for customer trials and develop application strategies tailored to individual end users.
Source: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, "Council, USCP Explore Food, Feed Uses For U.S. Sorghum In Malaysia, Vietnam"