USGBC Connects Constellation Brands With Barley Growers In Montana, $100 Million Investment Announced

U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council (USGBC) Senior Marketing Specialist Javier Chávez recently escorted a delegation of representatives from a Constellation Brands, a global leader in brewing, to Montana to supporting its direct sourcing needs.

The Council has been instrumental in connecting Constellation to U.S. barley growers over the last several years, including this trade team. The company announced last week it will invest $100 million in purchases and other initiatives in Idaho, Montana and North Dakota within the next five years.

The company is establishing Constellation's Farmers Future, a grower-led advisory committee that will bring together farmers, trade groups and community leaders to help inform investments intended to strengthen agricultural resilience and the domestic agricultural supply chain.

"Constellation already invests more than $750 million annually in U.S. farmers and suppliers, including purchasing approximately 80 percent of all U.S. barley exports. This additional investment is proof of Constellation's tremendous relationship with U.S. growers and the quality barley they produce," Chávez said.

The team arrived in Great Falls and held a meeting with the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee for an update about statewide growing conditions and availability.

The next day, the group toured two farms and attended a meeting with local growers to explore business opportunities and direct contracting to meet the company's raw input needs. Malteurop, a state-of-the-art malting facility, also welcomed the delegation to showcase its facilities and practices that maintain and harness the quality of U.S. barley.

"The Council has played a key role in promoting U.S. barley as the preferred choice for Mexico's brewing industry, working closely with Constellation since its early development. With products enjoyed around the world, partnerships with Constellation generate demand that U.S. growers are ready and able to meet," Chávez said.

Learn more about the Council's work in barley on the organization's website.