EPISODE 13

What’s the future of U.S. grain exports?

January 5, 2021
Brian Schouvieller, who leads global grain trading at CHS, talks about connecting your farm to new opportunities with international grain buyers.

After a few volatile years, the future of U.S. grain exports looks bright. New markets are being established and U.S. grain exports offer advantages international buyers want. Brian Schouvieller, who leads global grain trading at CHS, says access to global grain markets starts at your local co-op.

“International buyers value consistency and reliability in grain shipments,” says Schouvieller. “Many of them operate hand to mouth because their cash flow needs are important. That makes hitting shipment periods and providing consistent, high-quality grain key characteristics of a preferred supplier. The U.S. grain system can compete on these characteristics with any other country.”

As the world population grows, so does grain consumption. Demand is consistently increasing 1 to 2% per year and Schouvieller expects grain exports to follow suit.

“Southeast Asia and the Middle East are major growth markets,” says Schouvieller. “Those countries are developing and have evolving diet preferences, with consumers demanding more protein and more information about where their food comes from.  

“These changes bring opportunities. Access to these opportunities requires working with a company like CHS that has established international relationships and can give buyers the end-to-end supply chain traceability they want.”