When North Dakota corn producer Justin Quandt traveled to Southeast Asia as part of the U.S. Grains Council’s annual Grain Export. Mission, he witnessed firsthand how market development efforts translate into real opportunities for American farmers.
Building Markets Through Relationships
The Grain Export Mission brought together corn and sorghum growers from six states to Vietnam and Thailand, showcasing how the U.S. Grains Council develops international markets. The goal: cultivate agricultural leaders while demonstrating the Council’s global impact.
“There are a ton of possibilities in this region, and because of the work of the Council, the local farmer at home doesn’t have to worry about growing the market themselves,” said Dylan Rosier, USGC Western Hemisphere Advisory Team leader.
What impressed Quandt most wasn’t just the market potential—it was the personal relationships U.S. Grains Council personnel had built with local partners.
“I was especially impressed with the connections the U.S. Grains Council personnel had with the locals in these nations,” Quandt shared. “Seeing that they are on a first name basis with individuals in-country assures me that the U.S. Grains Council is working diligently and energetically to market U.S. products.”
Strong Market Demand
The numbers prove Southeast Asia’s importance to U.S. grain exports. During 2022/2023, Vietnam ranked as the ninth largest market for U.S. grains and third largest for distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Thailand was the ninth largest market for U.S. corn gluten feed and meal—with significant room for growth.
Direct Impact for North Dakota
Mission participants actively promoted U.S. grain through seminars in Ho Chi Minh City, presenting harvest quality reports and discussing market opportunities. These direct farmer-to-buyer conversations help foreign customers understand the quality and reliability of U.S. grain production.
For North Dakota corn producers like Quandt, the mission reinforced the value of checkoff investments in market development. The work happening thousands of miles away in Southeast Asia directly benefits corn producers back home—proving that in today’s global agriculture market, success depends on personal relationships and dedicated market development efforts.
