A company Uruguayan will be the first to export 500 tons of sorghum to China, after the agreement with the Asian giant for a total of 21 companies to begin selling the cereal, concluded almost two months ago.
Is about Cofco, a firm with Chinese capital, whose first shipment has already entered the port and will depart in the next few hours, according to the company’s general manager, Christian Nolte in dialogue with Radio Carve, within the framework of the agreement that began to be sealed at the end of last year.
“These are the first 500 tons that are leaving in 20 containers to that market with that new destination that has just opened,” he confirmed. Nolte, who admitted that “none of this is easy, like when the first export of barley”, by focusing on the protocols required by the Chinese government.
At the same time, he highlighted the support of Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) and, although he acknowledged that it is “a little risky,” he pointed out that the Chinese market is “a valid market” and highlighted that “sorghum meets all the requirements for weeds and fungi,” while admitting that “the an interesting previous work, which represents learning because it is the first time.”
The price of sorghum
Nolte He highlighted regarding the price of the product, that “in agriculture, sorghum was worth 80% of what the corn and with that we did the numbers, but today corn is worth a little more, in reference to the export value”, which is why he described it as “super competitive.”
Although he admitted that “corn has had a development and technological investment that has equaled sorghum in many aspects,” he stated that “there are certain rotations where the sorghum “He competes very well.” He specifically located the value at around $220, while ALUR assured a minimum payment of 180 dollars per ton for the 2023/2024 harvest
The enabled companies and Mattos’ vision
The approval from the China General Administration of Customs (GACC) was informed by the MGAP at the end of August. In addition to Cofco, the companies that were authorized are Mega Agro, Percoland, Dufour Commodities, TGL Uruguay, Vilnaro, Agropick, Kilafen, Fadisol, Stabril, Mega Agro Trading, Panizza Miller, Grupo Lusso, ADM Uruguay, Nuevo Surco, Yalfin, Ganadera Sur, Copagran, LDC Uruguay, Estancia Gaucho OD and Bunge Uruguay.
On that occasion, the minister Fernando Mattos considered that it is “a very important step for Uruguayan agriculture” and predicted that it is “a real possibility of productive increase in the Uruguay”, as well as in the “increase in commercial flow” with China.
Source: Ambito
