LONDON, ENGLAND — The International Grains Council (IGC) added a new member, Serbia, to its organization.

The council welcomes Serbia and said its participation will help strengthen international cooperation in grains trade.

The confirmation is effective April 1.

According to the IGC, Serbia produced 7.5 million tonnes of maize and 2.5 million tonnes of wheat in the 2019-20 marketing year. IGC designated Serbia as an exporting member of the council since its average annual export of maize, 2.5 million tonnes, makes the country the world’s eighth largest maize exporter.

IGC membership currently includes: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Egypt, European Union, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kora, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States and the Vatican City. 

The IGC is an intergovernmental organization that works to: further international cooperation in grains trade; promote expansion, openness and fairness in the grain sector; and contribute to grain market stability and to enhance world food security.