An Iraqi buying consortium, made up of poultry producers and feed millers, traveled to the United States last week to review the US grain marketing system as they move forward in modernising their feed industry and world grain trade dynamics.

Chris Corry, USGC senior director of international operations, said: "This buying consortium is one of two that exist in Iraq. The US Grains Council has been active in building the capacity of the buying consortia through the introduction of the tools used in international trade and establishing contact with US suppliers.

"The Council has been active in the Iraqi poultry industry since 2003 when it recognized its lack of exposure to the world marketplace."

The team was most impressed by the grain quality system the United States has in place. Until now, they had not seen any other country's government directly involved in the inspection of grains for export.

Team participant, Dr Dieyar Kakel, vice president of Vano Group, said: "There are a lot of small traders inside of Iraq selling a lot of different qualities of grain. We are not always sure of the quality we will receive. Now, after seeing the US grain marketing system, we can talk to people about grain quality when purchasing for our feed mills and our poultry industry."

"This experience as a whole has been a huge selling point for these members of the buying consortium. It has strengthened their resolve to import from the Unites States," said Abdellah Ait Boulahsen, USGC consultant.