Foreign Officials Visit Illinois Farms in Conjunction with US Grains Council Export Exchange

October 13, 2022
A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a combine harvester.

More than 50 countries are being represented in the United States this week during the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) marquee event, Export Exchange, held October 12-14. Before and after the event, several delegations of foreign officials from Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, the Middle East, and Africa, visited Illinois farms and export facilities to learn more about corn and corn co-products grown and produced within our state.

 

Illinois farmer leaders Mark and Cristin Wilson of Toulon, Paul and Donna Jeschke of Mazon, and Art and Jason Bunting of Dwight hosted groups of the dignitaries, explaining Illinois corn farming, transportation systems, and co-product creation.

“You can’t beat a face-to-face opportunity when it comes to building relationships,” said Wilson, immediate past chairman of the IL Corn Marketing Board and current USGC Director. “I welcome these visits from foreign officials, because even though it is a sacrifice and takes time from harvest, I know there is no greater opportunity to make a sale of U.S. corn, DDGS, or ethanol than through a connection with the folks that will make the purchasing decisions. We are building trust of Illinois farmers and Illinois products.”

 

The participants are predominantly purchasing officers and supply chain managers at various feed grain companies. The knowledge, experience and trust built from this program will have a direct and meaningful influence on the region’s agricultural industry, and result in higher sales for U.S. producers.

A group of people are sitting around a table in a conference room.

“When it comes to building relationships between U.S. producers and overseas importers, Export Exchange is invaluable,” said Caleb Wurth, USGC Director in Southeast Asia. “You can’t put a price on how important it is for international stakeholders to have the chance to see the fields and facilities their commodities originate from.”


Although each team participated in different Illinois experiences, all left with a better understanding of export logistics, including river transport terminals, grain inspection labs, and train and barge companies, in addition to a connection with an Illinois farmer.


“Aside from the benefits for our international visitors, these trade teams are also extremely impactful for domestic farmers and agribusiness owners,” Wurth said. “It’s empowering for U.S. producers to meet their foreign counterparts and understand the global significance of their work via the export chain.”


More information about future Export Exchange programs will be made available online at www.exportexchange.org and content from the event and its accompanying trade teams can be found on social media using the hashtag #ExEx22. Those interested can sign up for a mailing list to automatically receive conference updates by emailing info@exportexchange.org.

The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Illinois corn farmers will be impacted by many provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Bill that passed in both chambers this week.
By Tara Desmond July 3, 2025
Mid-Year Highlights: IL Corn Top 10 Read Stories
A map of the world with arrows pointing to trade countries
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Trade plays a critical role in driving demand for U.S. corn—not only as grain or feed, but also as fuel.
Top Videos of 2025
By Tara Desmond July 2, 2025
Harvesting the Best: A Look at IL Corn’s Top 10 Videos of 2025
By Lindsay Croke June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.
The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen June 27, 2025
From Springfield to D.C., lawmakers are listening, and Illinois corn farmers are leading the conversations.
Show More