Key facts
- Kotaro Higuma, Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan in the UK, has been elected Chairperson of the International Grains Council (IGC) for the 2026/27 term.
- The IGC aims to further international cooperation in grains trade, promote expansion and fairness in the sector, and enhance world food security.
- The organization monitors grains, rice, and oilseeds market conditions daily and provides market information.
- The Grains Trade Convention was renewed for two years until June 30, 2027.
- World grains production is predicted to expand by 3% in 2025/26, reaching a record 2,375 million tons.
Kotaro Higuma, Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan in the UK, has been appointed the Chairperson of the International Grains Council (IGC) for the 2026/27 term. He will lead the intergovernmental organization in its mission to facilitate international cooperation in grains trade, promote market expansion and fairness, and enhance global food security.
The IGC monitors grains, rice, and oilseeds market conditions daily, sharing information through reports and consultations. The organization's objectives are pursued by improving market transparency and contributing to market stability.
During the 62nd Council Session on June 12, 2025, members discussed various market outlooks. World grains production is predicted to increase by 3% in 2025/26 to a record 2,375 million tons, driven by improved maize crops. Global uptake is expected to reach a new peak, with traded volumes projected to rise by 2% to 428 million tons, primarily due to larger wheat flows. Soyabean production is forecast to rise by 2% to 428 million tons, with expanded trade supported by demand in Asia and Africa. Global rice production is also anticipated to reach a new peak, with trade projected to increase by 2% due to import requirements in Africa and Asia. However, global trade in pulses is forecast to fall for a second consecutive year.
Council members also discussed non-tariff barriers and their impact on trade, recommending efforts to facilitate dialogue on Sanitary and Phytosanitary issues. The Grains Trade Convention was renewed for two years until June 30, 2027, acknowledging the Secretariat's expertise in market monitoring and analysis. A working group was launched to develop a harmonized definition for japonica rice, with a proposal intended for the World Customs Organisation in 2028. Additionally, the IGC and the India Middle East Agri Alliance signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance information sharing and promote market transparency for smaller companies and farmers in South Asia and the Middle East.