The Free Trade Agreements with Korea, Columbia and Panama passed by the House and Senate last night were welcome news to sorghum producers, according to the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. The Free Trade Agreements were passed after being stalled for nearly five years. Senator Jerry Moran and Senator Pat Roberts both voted in favor of the three agreements. The state’s four U.S. Representatives also supported the FTAs in votes on the House floor with District Congressman Tim Huelskamp, Second District Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, Third District Congressman Kevin Yoder and Fourth District Congressman Mike Pompeo all voting in favor.
KGSPA President Greg Shelor, Minneola, said the trade agreements would benefit Kansas agriculture and the state’s economy. Total Kansas ag exports top were valued at nearly $5 billion in 2010.
“Being a land-locked state, we don’t always think about exports, but they are very important to Kansas growers,” Shelor said. “Kansas is the nation’s leading producer of sorghum, growing about half of the nation’s crop. The U.S. is the world’s top sorghum exporting country. On average, about 40 percent of the U.S. sorghum crop is exported.”
Ratification of the agreements will provide immediate duty-free access for most U.S. goods. The agreements are expected to generate about $13 billion in additional export revenue. About $11 billion of that increase will come from Korea.
“These countries represent great opportunities for sorghum and other feedgrains, as well as for grain-fed beef and pork,” Shelor said. “We’ve waited five years to see these trade agreements ratified. In that time, other countries have been approving their own trade agreements, and we have lost market share waiting for ratification. The free trade agreements will help us regain credibility in these countries.”
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association represents its members in areas of legislation and regulation.
