Ethanol Blog

Team of agricultural leaders from Iowa recently traveled to China on a 10-day trade mission trip, according to an article by the U.S. Grains Council (http://bit.ly/…).

The team, comprised of 24 Iowa ag professionals, was part of the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development (I-LEAD) with a goal of exploring the opportunities and complexities of China's booming market.

Shannon Textor, Iowa Corn Growers Association market develop director, said, "Building relationships with key customers, like China, is a top priority in growing trade opportunities. We need to understand the opportunities and challenges and make sure they understand that we grow and produce safe and reliable food and grain."

The Grains Council helped develop a busy schedule for the team covering many areas of china, including Beijing, Hebei Province, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The team toured many sites, ranging from seeing U.S.-produced dried distillers grains with solubles distributed at a feed mill, to witnessing a ship filled with U.S. corn unloading. The team also learned more about the Chinese market and worked on enhancing current trade relationships with China.

Cheryl Anderson can be reached at Cheryl.anderson@telventdtn.com

(ES)

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