EU new outlet for US sorghum

Reports from Europe continue to look grim for the EU feed grain industry.
Chris Corry, US Grains Council senior director of international operations, in
Feedstuffs said he expects Europe will need 17 to 18 million tonnes of feed
grains next year due to natural calamities.

“Due to biotechnology
restrictions and increasing world wheat demand, the European Union’s trade
industry is turning to US sorghum,” Corry told.

Sorghum
imports
The first shipment of US sorghum arrived in France this week
consisting of 3,000 tonnes. Another shipment of 12,000 tonnes is scheduled for
arrival on Sunday, Oct. 7 from the United States.

A total 300,000 tonnes
of US sorghum has been purchased with deliveries scheduled through
February.

Although Europe does not allow grains derived from many
genetically enhance seeds, the corn market will also benefit from the exchange.
“The sorghum being shipped to Europe is usually destined for Mexico, so that
means Mexico will be buying more US corn in 2008,” Corry
notes.

Roadshow
He said the US Grains Council will be
conducting what he referred to as a “road show” in January. A nutritionist and a
feed mill expert will travel across the EU holding a series of
workshops.

“January will be perfect timing, because livestock operators
will have had a chance to use sorghum in their rations and will be prepared to
ask questions in order to have greater success with sorghum as a feed grain,”
said Corry.

“Our goal here is to capitalize on this opportunity to make
Europe a consistent buyer of sorghum beyond this crisis
situation.”

Source: Feedstuffs