In an effort to forge relationships and increase export sales of agricultural products, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will host 31 international buyers from nine different countries as part of a four-day tour.
Buyers from Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, China and Vietnam will visit Illinois facilities Sept. 9 - 12.
"The Illinois Grain Tour gives participants the opportunity to meet and build relationships with our farmers, producers and retailers. The result is international exposure for Illinois grain," said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. "Illinois leads the nation in soybean production, and we're number two in corn production. Nearly half of that inventory is exported, equating to billions of dollars in direct sales each year."
The 2023 Illinois Grain Tour had projected sales of more than $30 million.