There is increased interest from Japanese end users to import non-GMO corn from Australia.Japan is a major importer of corn, annually importing approximately 14 million tonne of corn, out of which non-GMO corn import is approximately 2 million tonnes. The supply of non-GMO corn is becoming more difficult and expensive to source, and Australia is seen as a viable option to meet the demands of a portion of this requirement. Our company, NSK, bought 10 thousand tonnes from Australia last year and is to buy 25 thousand tonnes this year, and this could be increasing to 60 to 80 thousand tonnes over the next 5 years.
The key requirement is to be non-GMO, and the corn is used for a number of different end-uses in Food use, Industrial use, Beverage use and Fine Chemical use.NSK is keen to promote close relationship with both traders and growers in Australia.
The key limitations to the growth of this trade are seen as the high Aussie dollar, high cost of doing business and freight costs. However Australia is seen as producing a quality product of non-GMO corn, and NSK is keen to the market grow both in Australia and Japan over the next 5 years.