Portland, OR (Sept 2025) – Columbia Grain International™ (www.columbiagrain.com; CGI), which has been Cultivating Growth™ as a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds, and organics for U.S. domestic and worldwide export markets since 1978, today announces the promotion of industry veteran Kurt Haarmann to President and CEO, effective immediately. The announcement was made by CGI’s parent company, Marubeni Corporation, a major Japanese integrated trading and investment business committed to developing an efficient supply line for U.S. grains to be sent to Japan and beyond.
Having earned his Bachelor’s degree in finance from University of Washington, Mr. Haarmann has worked in the grain and pulse business since joining Columbia Grain International in Colfax, WA in 1993. With experience in procurement, domestic and export trading, contract execution and operations management from 1996-2014 for wheat and later for oilseeds, he was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer on April 1, 2025, with oversight of all commodities, freight and logistics.
“With our core business exporting our farmers’ corn, soybeans, and wheat to Asian markets, we continue to innovate with better and more efficient systems, state-of-the-art equipment, the highest level of safety, and above all our support of our dedicated team,” stated Mr. Haarmann. “Our mission at Columbia Grain is to safely cultivate high quality ingredients from our local farmers that feed the world. Indeed, it’s our purpose to cultivate growth for all members of our community – from our farmers to our partners throughout our supply chain.”
Since its founding, CGI has continued to expand its footprint across Washington, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota as well as providing expert agronomy guidance to its 8000 farmers, who handle wheat, corn, soybeans, and specialty crops like peas, lentils, chickpeas, and flax. Prior to Mr. Haarmann’s appointment, the company was led by Paul Dickerson, Wayne Parks, Tom Hammond, Mike Wong and Jeff Van Pevenage.
With the disruptions in the grain and pulse agricultural markets due to geopolitical tensions in Europe, global fluctuating tariffs, and unfavorable weather conditions, Columbia Grain’s managers throughout the Pac NW predict a strong year with high demand for their grains, corn, soybeans and pulses both within the US as well as in such far Eastern countries as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
About Columbia Grain International
Since 1978, Columbia Grain International™ (CGI) has been Cultivating Growth™ as a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds, and organics for U.S. domestic and worldwide export markets. Headquartered in Portland, OR, CGI’s reliable supply chain spans the western region of the U.S., ensuring abundant ingredients for all of its partners, thanks to their trusted relationships with their farmers throughout the fertile croplands of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota, well known for its high-quality wheat, feed grains, canola and pulses.
CGI is an owner of Montana Specialty Mills, who operates an organic and non-GMO oilseed crushing facility in Great Falls, Montana, a mustard seed facility in Conrad, Montana, and most recently Montana Craft Malt —providing specialty malt barley from Montana farmers to the craft brewing world. Today, they are vertically integrated, operating assets including grain elevators, processing plants and agronomy centers to support their farmers, which stretch the northern tier of the United States. With multiple touchpoints across the food supply chain, CGI provides trusted solutions and cultivates high-quality ingredients from their local farmers for a farm-to-table philosophy that safely feeds the world.
