People from Vietnam visited Colorado October 10-11 to tour many areas where Colorado’s corn is produced, processed and utilized, as part of the Export Exchange 2024 event. The event is hosted by the U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association.
Trade teams serve as a crucial opportunity for international buyers and traders to visit the U.S. value chain, learn more about U.S. commodities and generate potential business connections.
“I have worked for CJ for more than 16 years and have been in charge of commodities for more than 3 years. I have always wanted a chance to visit the U.S. to see harvest and the grain handling facilities. This trip has been a big dream,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, Head of Commodity Team, CJ Vina Agri.
Participants started in Fort Worth, Texas at a three-day conference, and then branched out into 13 trade teams that headed to corn-producing states across the country.
The Colorado Corn Promotion Council hosted the team from Southeast Asia. This team visited the CSU SPUR campus, Van Thuyne Farms in Longmont, ARDEC in Fort Collins, Front Range Energy in Windsor, the Kuner/Five Rivers Feedyard in Kersey, Roggen Elevators in Roggen and finished with distillery tours.
“The elevator was most interesting because I can understand how the trading here in the U.S. works and how the farmers and elevators work together. Further, how this all affects pricing,” stated Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy Ngan, Regional Purchaser Asia, De Heus.
Trade teams offer the opportunity for attendees to visit each aspect of the agricultural value chain, inspect the quality of U.S. agricultural products, connect with farmers and build new business relationships. The information learned on these trips can be applied to future business practices and strengthen ties between Colorado agriculture and the global market.