Venezuela: Determinants of Corn Import Demand

Venezuelan feed manufacturers and livestock producers rely on imported feed grains because domestic feed supplies, mainly sorghum, are available only for a few months of the year. The United States is the traditional supplier of yellow corn to the Venezuelan market. 'However, interviews conducted in the spring of 1992 revealed that Venezuelan feed manufacturers perceive a decline in U.S. corn quality and are now supplementing their supplies with some corn from Argentina. Although quality and price are important to Venezuelan feed manufacturers, timely and reliable supplies also influence purchase decisions