The Canadian International Grains Institute marks its 50th International Grain Industry Program starting July 9 when 22 customers from 14 countries arrive in Winnipeg for two weeks of technical demonstrations, industry sessions and tours focused on Canadian wheat.
鈥淔or the 50th time, Cigi鈥檚 International Grain Industry Program is welcoming key Canadian wheat customers from around the world,鈥� says JoAnne Buth, Cigi CEO. 鈥淲e鈥檙e celebrating a milestone that has involved buyers of millions of tonnes of Canadian wheat over the past 44 years.鈥�
Since 1973, soon after Cigi was established, more than 1,000 wheat customers from 81 countries on six continents have participated in the program. Until the early 1980s the then month-long program was offered twice a year. By the late 1980s it had evolved to an annual program lasting three weeks and by the early 1990s, two weeks.
鈥淎s Cigi鈥檚 flagship program, it has become a hallmark of Canadian wheat quality, focused on maintaining and enhancing our wheat markets through education and fostering customer relationships,鈥� says Buth. 鈥淚t has also provided an important foundation for our work with international customers, leading to the development of many other Cigi programs, technical exchanges and missions concentrating on specific markets.鈥�
Since the International Grain Industry Program began, customers have been invited to participate from top Canadian wheat markets such as Japan, Mexico and Indonesia, says Dean Dias, Cigi Director of Value Chain Relations and co-chair of the 50th International Grain Industry Program.
鈥淰arious market criteria has been used as a basis for the invitations, covering representation from our largest wheat customers, recommendations from exporters that could include potential customers from emerging markets, and information from Cigi staff who work closely with customers worldwide,鈥� he says.
Participants on the current program include senior representatives from trading organizations, mills and processing companies from Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Singapore, 小蓝视频 Korea and United Arab Emirates.
At Cigi, the group will participate in classroom sessions and hands-on technical demonstrations with Cigi staff and industry representatives on Canadian grains and pulses. Topics include an introduction to the Canadian industry, wheat classes, inspection and grading, handling, transportation, marketing, and technology with a focus on quality analysis, milling, and end-use applications in baking, pasta and Asian products.
The program offers an opportunity for discussion between the participants and senior industry representatives from grower organizations, grain companies, Cereals Canada, the Canadian Grain Commission, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre.
