3rd World Grains Trade Summit to Address Issues & Impact on Global Grains Markets

Date:2011/1/5

3rd World Grains Trade Summit o be held in Singapore on 16-17 February 2011 will discuss the impact, challenges, and opportunities in key grain markets across Asia, Australia to South America. The summit will go beyond mere market trends into insights and strategies to counter market volatility, global market trends, shipping and logistic challenges.

Building on the highly acclaimed 2010 summit which attracted over 200 participants from over 30 countries, the 3rd World Grains Trade Summit is designed to cover grains market outlook, pricing & economics, demand/supply issues, Japan & China’s grains consumption, feed & flour millers expectation and more.

This third summit is supported by Exclusive Financial Sponsor BNP Paribas, a leading European provider of financial services, with Alain Butler, Senior Advisor on Soft Commodities of BNP Paribas providing insights on what drives grain market convergence.

Also supporting and contributing as speakers are Corporate Sponsors SGS and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. Representing SGS is Johny Boerjan, Vice President – Technical Governance, who will offer insights into food safety standards and implications for the international grains industry, while Patric McGonigal, Partner at BLG will address Russia’s ban on grain exports, specifically common problems and legal issues the industry should stay aware of in the year ahead.

With “Managing Price Volatility & Production Risk” as theme, the summit will start off with a live panel discussion to review world grains market, the impact of volatility on importers and exporters, wheat quality, sources of supply & opportunity resulting from increased protein consumption. Senior executives from Toepfer International Asia, Concordia Agritrading Pte Ltd, and Cargill Australia Ltd will be the key panelists sharing in this session.

In addition to above, the agenda will also include country-focused presentations to highlight the challenges and opportunities in different regions. Included in the speaker line-up is ZEN-NOH, touching on Japan’s grains pricing system, changing consumption/trade patterns and acceptance of GM grains. COSUR S.A on the other hand will present updates on the grains/oilseeds market outlook in South America while JP Morgan will offer solutions on risk management. Also sharing is Managing Director of Emerald Group Australia Pty Ltd, Mick Cattanach who will examine the impact and opportunities on Asian buyers resulting from Australia’s grains industry changes, and Greg Harvey, Group Chief Executive of Interflour Group Pte Ltd expected to provide valuable perspective on expanding the flour milling industry in Asia.

To round it up, Dr. Katsuji Matsunami, Advisor at Asian Development Bank will present an overview of the future rice demand and supply in Asia, as well as explain ADB’s approach in enhancing the regional rice trade and possibility of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve in stabilizing volatile rice prices. Also included are discussions on the impact of biofuels on grains prices from leading consultant Frost & Sullivan, dry bulk freight outlook from shipping major Clarkson Asia Pte Ltd and food security issues & impact on agricultural investment by FC Stone.

Those keen on registering for the summit may contact Angelia Lim at (65) 6345 5701 or visit www.cmtevents.com?ev=110201&pu=203075&