Joint Officers’ Mission Takes Delegation To Japan

Leaders from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) came together last week for the biannual joint officers’ mission. This year’s mission took the delegation to Japan, a market the Council has had a presence in for more than 60 years.

“The joint officers’ mission is a good way to not only showcase the success the Council has in our global markets, but a way for our partners to also be directly involved,” said Brent Boydston, USGC chairman.

The Council delegation included Boydston; Verity Ulibarri, USGC vice chairwoman; Mark Wilson, USGC secretary/treasurer; Josh Miller, USGC past chairman; and Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and CEO. Additionally, NCGA representatives included Harold Wolle, Jr., NCGA president; Tom Haag, NCGA chairman; Kenneth Hartman, Jr., NCGA first vice president; and Neil Caskey, NCGA CEO.

Highlights of the mission included meeting with the Honorable Arata Takebe, an influential policymaker; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF); FAS Japan; the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); visiting a corn wet mill and the first E7 gas pump in Japan.

“While in Japan, the work of the Council was displayed not only by visiting Nakagawa Bussan to hear about their ethanol expansion plans, but also by seeing how they are doing their part by showcasing the first E7 pump in Japan. The meetings we had with METI and the Honorable Arata Takebe allowed the officers to see the commitment Japan has to utilizing ethanol blends for autos and SAF. Lastly, the officer teams learned first-hand from Oji Cornstarch about why they prefer U.S. corn for their wet mill process, ensuring Japan as an unwavering trade partner,” Boydston said.

A reliable export market for U.S. grain exports, Japan was the third-largest market for grains in all forms (GIAF) during the 2022/2023 marketing year, with exports totaling 9.6 million metric tons (377 million bushels). By commodity, Japan was the top market for U.S. beef and beef products, the third-largest market for U.S. corn, pork and pork products, barley and barley products, the eighth-largest market for U.S. dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS), and the ninth-largest market for U.S. sorghum.

“As a reliable supplier of corn with long-term relationships with the corn customers in Japan, the leaders’ engagement in the meetings and visits reassured customers of the commitment to supply quality grains to the market. The officers successfully ensured Honorable Takebe and METI of the future supply of fuel ethanol from the United States to Japan for both on-road use and sustainable aviation fuel,” said Tommy Hamamoto, USGC director in Japan.