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U.S. sorghum exports to Morocco soar
31.05.2010 12:47 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
According to the U. S. Department of Agricultures Global Agricultural Trade System, Morocco went from importing no U.S. sorghum in 2009 to nearly 70,000 tonnes (2.6 million bushels) so far this marketing year through March, said the U. S. Grains Council. According to U. S. Grains Council sources, another vessel has been purchased for delivery within the next two weeks.
Florentino Lopez, marketing director for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, said this kind of market opportunity doesnt just happen on its own.
«After a market assessment in Morocco was conducted last fall, it was determined there was a huge market there for U.S. sorghum. The council, with the help of the Sorghum Checkoff, began working immediately. We sent nutritionists to work with local producers to show them how to use sorghum in their feed rations. We also brought a team of importers to the United States last fall to see U.S. sorghum production firsthand, which actually yielded some sales,» he said. «We see Morocco as great long-term buyer of our product.»
This week, a team of Moroccan poultry producers traveled to the U.S. as a follow-up to the previous mission. A Moroccan importer representing Graderco, the largest importer in Morocco, participated in both missions.
The Moroccan team toured several facilities and farms in Texas to better understand sorghum production in the U. S. Through projects like buyer missions, the Sorghum Checkoff and the council are working to increase the international market for sorghum.
After leaving the U.S., the team will then travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, to see U.S. sorghum use in poultry rations firsthand.
«Whats unique about this program is that Mexico and Morocco are very similar in their economic situations, climatic conditions and currency devaluation risks,» said Lopez. «This team will truly be able to understand the feasibility of how they can take advantage of this U.S. product in their own operations.»
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