Egyptian Buyer Group Visits Texas Panhandle

In an effort to expand sorghum’s international markets, the Sorghum Checkoff and U.S. Grains Council sponsored a group of Egyptian grain buyers in the Texas Panhandle Oct.5-14 to learn about how U.S. sorghum is grown and utilized in the livestock feed industry.

"This group was interested in DDGS from the U.S.," said Morgan Newsom of the Texas Grain Sorghum Association (TGSA). "The Sorghum Checkoff and the U.S. Grains Council are planning a feeding trial in Egypt later this year so it was important to show the Egyptians how sorghum is produced here. This trip was intended to educate these buyers on the value of U.S. sorghum and DDGS.

This group of prospective buyers represented the Egyptian poultry industry as well as various food processing companies and inspection services in Egypt.

During their trip to the Texas Panhandle, the group visited an ethanol plant, a grain elevator, and a sorghum farm in Claude, Texas, where they saw how sorghum is harvested right off the farm. Newsom said one of the highlights of the trip was a cookout hosted by a group of sorghum producers for the Egyptian buyers.

"It is always important to show these buyer groups how a typical American farm really works," said John Ballard, a sorghum producer from Claude, Texas. "Without exports our market would be saturated with grain, which would result in lower prices. It is also important to develop relationships with these groups and to make them feel welcome. It is always good to know who you’re buying a product from."

Ballard said that educating buyers about the quality and logistics of U.S. sorghum is hoped to reinforce relationships between buyers and U.S. sorghum producers that will stimulate further exports of sorghum.