Assumption, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A statewide tour of all things Illinois agriculture has brought almost three dozen of the world’s grain buyers. 

State agriculture director Jerry Costello says they come from nine countries. “The grain tour is a little over 25 years old. The last five years, it’s resulted in almost $240 million worth of sales.”

First-time tourist – and first-time U.S. visitor – Qunbo Lee (pictured, left), with brother Junbo (pictured, right) helping translate, said, “We have worked with the (USDA) for over twenty years, but I have never been here before. I wanted to be here and see what is going on, what it looks like.”

The Lees’ family business in China imports soybeans.

The three spoke during a stop at grain bin manufacturer GSI, in Christian County. The tour will cover the whole state this week.

Some of the buyers come every year – because, says Costello, it’s all about relationships.