LUBBOCK, Texas (Jan. 28, 2025) – National Sorghum Producers (NSP) and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) recently joined the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) for its annual Joint Officers’ Mission in India, held Jan. 12–17, to strengthen relationships with the country’s feed industry, explore sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) priorities and highlight U.S. sorghum as a non-genetically modified (GM) option for Indian importers.
India’s emergence as a net coarse grain importer highlights the nation’s growing demand for reliable, high-quality feed grains. With record feed costs and ambitious ethanol blending targets, Indian buyers sought insights on how U.S. sorghum can support both economic and environmental goals.
“Promotional efforts by the Council and sorghum organizations have generated notable interest from Indian poultry producers facing escalating input costs,” said Verity Ulibarri, chairwoman of USGC. “Our discussions emphasized U.S. sorghum’s benefits and laid the groundwork for deeper trade ties.”
The delegation met with feed manufacturers, poultry integrators and oil refiners to discuss India’s feed needs and the upcoming SAF mandate, which is set to begin in 2027.
“As India’s poultry production grows, U.S. sorghum offers a dependable, low-carbon solution,” said Amy France, chairwoman of National Sorghum Producers. “Our meetings reaffirmed the value sorghum brings to feed rations and potentially sustainable fuel production alike.”
In New Delhi, the group also met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to align strategies and prepare for ongoing market access discussions. U.S. sorghum is currently subject to a 50% tariff, posing a significant barrier to trade. NSP and USCP CEO Tim Lust highlighted NSP’s focus on overcoming barriers.
“National Sorghum Producers works with decision-makers at home and abroad to address tariffs and other challenges impeding trade,” said Lust. “While hurdles remain, we are committed to finding practical paths forward so India and the United States can both benefit from sorghum’s advantages.”
NSP and USCP, alongside industry partners, continue to explore opportunities to showcase the benefits of U.S. sorghum in India. The Sorghum Checkoff remains committed to putting together programs, demonstrations and initiatives that highlight sorghum’s nutritional and economic value, further strengthening its position in the global feed industry.
