Fort Worth, TX – Export Exchange 2024 began today in Fort Worth, Texas, where the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), partnering with Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), welcomed nearly 500 guests including international buyers and domestic U.S. value chain stakeholders to the conference.
With 28 industry exhibitors to further showcase the breadth of the U.S. agriculture and agribusiness industries, Export Exchange encourages real-time trade and relationship building.
“It is essential for us to strengthen the bonds between suppliers and partner countries, and the connections we make this week will not only help propel our industry this year, but for years to come,” Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council said. “Export Exchange provides the perfect environment for stakeholders to get answers, make contacts and build business.”
Tuesday also included speaker Jason Hafemeister, the USDA acting deputy undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Hafemeister presented USDA’s goals for exports and explained the necessity of trade for U.S. agriculture success.
“[Exports] help keep rural American economies strong and vibrant, so we are all in on promoting trade. It is also an important part in our relationships with the rest of the world, Hafemeister said. “The United States is a reliable supplier of agricultural products. We want to develop strong relationships with our trading partners, and we think that the flow of agriculture commodities is critical to do so.”
Other Tuesday speakers included information about global feed demand by Ankush Bhandari with Verition Fund Management; “Requirements of the Agriculture Supply Chain and Transportation Amidst Global Upheaval,” presented by Ken Eriksen of Polaris Analytics and Consulting; and “Understanding Today’s Contracts,” by Alejandra Castillo and Thomas Erickson from the North American Export Grain Association.
The day’s speakers highlighted commodity outlooks and examined the continuous evolution of agriculture industry with “Sorghum, The Smart Choice,” presented by Norma Ritz Johnson from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program; “Co-Products in Petfood,” by Kent Cooper with Evolve Consulting Group; a discussion of new opportunities with “Seafood Protein Demand Outlook,” presented by Gary Morrison from Expana; and “Value-Baded Procurement of U.S. Co-Products,” led by Guy Allen with the International Grains Program.
Wednesday, the final day of the event, will include discussions on new co-products in the market by Joe Ward with the Dried Distillers Council; sustainable corn and co-products exports offered by USGC Director of Global Sustainability, Carlos Suárez; and a panel discussing the value U.S. corn including Dr. Vijay Singh, University of Illinois, Kurt Shultz, USGC and Doug Kitch, CPM Industrial Solutions.
More information about ExEx 2024, including registration details, is available at www.exportexchange.org or on social media using the hashtag #ExEx24.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.