USSEC Hosts Shanghai Liangyou Group

May , 2007 St. Louis, MO - The U.S. Soybean Export Council had the honor of hosting representatives from the Shanghai Liangyou Group of China at the USSEC offices.  The Group, headed by Mr. He Tao, General Manager, evolved from the former City Grain Bureau, which under central planning handled all grain and oilseed distribution, storage and processing for the Shanghai administration. Under the more modern format, they now also import and export grain products, operate two crushing plants with total capacity of 3,200 MT per day, and more than 50% of their soybeans are purchased from the U.S. They also own the "Buddy" convenience store with more than 700 stores.

The company has had a close cooperative relationship with U.S. soybean farmers and the American Soybean Association-International Marketing staff in China for quite a long time, even providing temporary office space when ASA-IM was establishing the office Shanghai.

The Group first worked with ASA-IM when they participated in the soybean purchasing delegation to the U.S. in 1992. Since then, they have not only been active U.S. soybean buyers, but also important sponsors of ASA-IM programs in Shanghai. Being the only crusher in Shanghai, the Group has hosted numerous ASA-IM delegations to visit their plant, including U.S. farmers, technical/marketing experts and government officials, such as former USDA Secretary Glickman who visited their plant while helping to promote support for Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) and China's entry into the World Trade Organization. Thus the Group has greatly helped the U.S. visitors understand the local soybean industry.

USSEC staff Dan Duran, Paul Burke and Alan Poock provided the Chinese visitors with information about current trends affecting the U.S. soybean complex.  While in St. Louis, the Group also visited the Monsanto research facilities and Bunge North America.

Mr. Chen Hai Gang, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Economic Commission and USSEC CEO Dan Duran exchange gifts during a visit to St. Louis.

The Liangyou Group of Shanghai, China pose with USSEC staff during their visit to St. Louis. Pictured from left: Mr. Huang Wen Qing, Translator, Shanghai Liangou Group; Alan Poock, Marketing Manager USSEC; Mr. Sun Xu Liang, Deputy Director, Department of Grain and Oil Reserve, Shanghai Grain Administration; Mr. Guo Ming, General Manager, Shanghai Oils and Fats Co. Ltd.; Mr. Chen Hai Gang, Vice Director, Shanghai Municipal Economic Commission Director, Shanghai Grain Administration; Dan Duran, CEO USSEC; Mr. He Tao, General Manager, Shanghai Liangyou Group; Mr. Wu Jian Rong, Vice Director, Office of General Manager, Shanghai Liangyou Group; and Paul Burke, Director of Marketing USSEC.