Sorghum Sparks The Interest of Trade Team During Kansas Visit

Colwich, KS– As grain sorghum continues to emerge in conversation topics across a variety of sectors, it’s no surprise that demand for the crop continues to rise on an international level.

In mid-June, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP), in partnership with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), hosted Export Sorghum— a conference designed to connect  grain buyers from across the globe while simultaneously educating them about the sorghum market, research, sustainability components and more. 

At the conclusion of the conference, attendees split to attend tours in either Texas or Kansas to gain new perspectives on American agriculture, and of course, grain sorghum production. Nearly 25 grain buyers from China made the trip to Kansas to catch a glimpse of what a typical farm looks like, including visiting USCP Board Member Kim Baldwin’s farm in McPherson, and Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman Kevin Kniebel’s farm in White City. 

Baldwin noted that while her family has hosted multiple trade teams in the past, this was the largest inbound group they had seen so far, with previous teams usually consisting of 10 or more individuals. 

“Compared to other teams, I knew quite a few of these buyers as I was able to meet with them when I visited China in April of 2023 for the first U.S. Grains Council trade mission into China since the pandemic.” Baldwin said. 

A few of the notable takeaways from her conversations during this visit included the discussion surrounding how Kansas could see an increase of planted sorghum acres as the state pulls through drought conditions and the buyers’ interest in sorghum as an additive in livestock feed rations.

According to the U.S. Grains Council website, China stands as a top importer of U.S. sorghum, alongside Mexico and Sudan.