The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) recently participated in a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Trade Mission (USDA ATM) in Mexico to build upon existing trade relationships with U.S. agriculture's largest export market. Image courtesy of USGBC.
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council leaders and its members recently traveled to Mexico to participate in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agricultural trade mission (ATM) to strengthen trade relations between the countries.
USGBC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, USGBC Vice Chairman Jay Reiners, staff based in the Council’s Mexico City office and Council members and partners including Ringneck Energy, Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the National Sorghum Producers attended at the invitation of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) office in Mexico City.
“Mexico is the top export market for U.S. producers and has the economic and demographic potential to continue expanding and setting new export records for the U.S. agricultural industry,” LeGrand said.
“There is also potential for scaling ethanol exports to Mexico, something the Council and USDA are monitoring closely, a factor that could supercharge the market.”
The ATM began with a briefing on Mexico’s progress toward an E10 blending rate and a plenary session with attending USDA cooperators. Then, a meeting with representatives from PEMEX, Mexico’s national petroleum company, featured more detailed discussions about the logistics of moving to a higher biofuel blending rate and how the U.S. industry can help.
The evening concluded with a reception at U.S. Ambassador Ronald D. Johnson’s residence where USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins reinforced her support for U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico.
The second day focused on meetings with associations and councils representing vital sectors of the Mexican economy including the National Feed Millers Association, the Industrialized Corn Chamber and the Mexican Business Council.
Lastly, the group participated in a roundtable event at the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico to align on marketing strategies for U.S. goods.
“As one of our closest neighbors, the value of the Mexican market cannot be understated as a reliable customer year over year,” LeGrand said.
“Secretary Rollins’ attention to that crucial market and the importance of exports to U.S. farmers overall is extremely encouraging and we look forward to many more collaborations.”
Read more from USGBC here.