AMES, IOWA, US — Landus, among the largest grain-handling companies in the United States, has launched its first international office in Guadalajara, Mexico, a nation that consumes about 25% of US corn exports, the cooperative announced May 10.

The office will be led by Leopoldo Orozco, international manager of Landus. Orozco has spent the past decade with Landus overseeing international sales of the company’s dairy feed ingredient product line, including SoyPlus and SoyChlor. These branded products are used by dairy producers worldwide thanks in part to Orozco’s global work. 

“We are excited to elevate Orozco’s role within Landus as we expand our direct grain shipping business and better connect our farmer-owners to purchasers seeking more from their grain suppliers,” said Matt Carstens, president and chief executive officer of Landus, based in Ames, Iowa, US. “Through our network of more than 7,000 farmer-owners, Landus can provide transparent access to the people growing the corn we export and the data demonstrating the sustainable growing practices happening on their farms.”

Landus is the seventh-largest grain company in North America handling 5.5 million tonnes of grain annually. According to Sosland Publishing’s 2022 Grain & Milling Annual, Landus has 56 grain storage facilities with 152.68 million bushels of storage capacity. Landus has grain facilities on all major rail lines in Iowa and the ability to ship shuttle trains of corn to destinations throughout Mexico. Mexico is expected to import a total of 17.3 million tonnes of corn in 2021-22, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

“For years our customers have valued the consistency and quality we deliver with our SoyPlus and SoyChlor shipments,” Orozco said. “Now, with our inland freight ownership and expanded grain marketing strategy, we can offer expanded services and international buyers direct access to quality corn and soybean shipments through our network of farmer-owners.”

Orozco will be based in Guadalajara, and office operations will be supported by Ileana Orozco, who will assist with customer inquiries, communications and administration needs on site.