The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) held a corn and sorghum quality rollout event last week in Colombo, Sri Lanka, reinforcing ties with buyers in South Asia after Bangladesh imported U.S. corn for the first time in eight years.
“The vessel of corn that arrived in Bangladesh was a welcome sight for U.S. farmers and exporters,” said Reece Cannady, USGBC regional director for South Asia. “In-country marketing efforts last July have paid dividends, as we are seeing unprecedented numbers of requests for U.S. corn following that engagement.”
More than 85 attendees, including buyers, end-users, U.S. farmers, and USDA and U.S. Embassy staff, gathered to review the Council’s 2025/2026 Corn and Sorghum Harvest Quality Reports. Presentations highlighted U.S. corn’s superior performance and sorghum’s role in poultry diets.
A roundtable featured perspectives from U.S. producers, including Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Executive Director Wayne Cleveland and Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Mueller. Industry leaders from The Andersons, POET, and others also shared insights.
Cannady emphasized strong feed grain demand in South Asia but noted challenges from non-tariff trade barriers. “South Asian buyers are now able to see that procuring the world’s best agricultural products is a possibility, and we are excited to supply their needs,” he said.
