Well being-conscious Japanese customers have new recipes to attempt after American meals sorghum was featured in two meals journal articles in late 2020, in response to a press launch. The location of this stuff was the most recent within the long-term effort by the US Grain Council to determine and increase a value-added market area of interest for US sorghum in Japan.
Nikkei Girl readers are younger and middle-aged girls and included an article with Erica Angyal, a well-liked determine with whom the council has labored to advertise sorghum since 2013. Eiyo-to-Ryori, which interprets to “Vitamin and Cooking , ”Is a month-to-month journal aimed toward nutritionists and registered dietitians.
The council helped set up articles about sorghum in these publications together with common data on well being attributes, excessive mineral content material, and analysis on dietary fiber. As a result of many readers have no idea how one can put together sorghum, the articles additionally embrace recipes with detailed directions.
“These articles prolong our attain to health-conscious Japanese customers,” mentioned Michiyo Hoshizawa, USGC Japan Program and Administrative Director. “We’re persevering with to work with vitamin specialists to establish and make clear the scientific proof supporting the well being advantages of sorghum.”
The council has been selling efforts to advertise edible white sorghum and white sorghum flour within the Japanese marketplace for the previous few years. Because of these instructional applications, the Japanese meals and snack business has elevated curiosity in and commercialization of sorghum for its merchandise. Japanese demand for sorghum for human consumption stays small however secure at round 200 metric tons, or roughly 7,900 bushels per 12 months.
“Just like the council’s success in selling edible barley, the continued promotion of edible sorghum will proceed to extend this market in Japan,” Hoshizawa mentioned within the assertion. “We consider this market is successful that may develop over time, because of the long-term objectives and assist of the US sorghum business.”
The Japanese market now consists of greater than 50 meals merchandise with sorghum as an ingredient. Different areas of curiosity that promote sorghum as a well being meals grain embrace black sorghum, which comprises increased ranges of antioxidants.
“Meals sorghum in Japan represents a small market area of interest. Nonetheless, this specialised, health-conscious market presents one other value-added alternative for US sorghum growers, ”Hoshizawa mentioned. “The Council will proceed to advertise feed sorghum as a wholesome and environmentally pleasant grain, whereas on the similar time sustaining shut relationships with feed sorghum clients.”
