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Sorghum producers looking to India as potential export opportunity

India could soon be a market for U.S. grain sorghum producers.

Adam York, CEO of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, tells Brownfield there is an opportunity in India’s poultry feed sector.

“Typically the Indian poultry sector has been able to readily purchase domestic Indian corn, but with the new ethanol mandate that went into effect in India, that corn is now being re-diverted to the fuel supply and those poultry sector feeders are scrambling for a buying opportunity like U.S. sorghum,” he says.

National Grain Sorghum Producers past chair Craig Meeker was part of a trade mission to India in January.

“It’s a huge market obviously and being able to tap into that market I think would be a wonderful opportunity, doing our due diligence and working with them,” he says.

He says it will be important for sorghum producers to determine how they can meet India’s needs.

York says about 60 percent of U.S. sorghum is exported annually, with China currently the largest consumer of the crop.

AUDIO: Adam York, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission