Catching Up With Cannady: Q&A With Council’s South Asia Regional Director

While the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has been working in the South Asia region for years, its physical office in India remains the newest outpost for the organization – celebrating its one-year mark of moving into the office space this month.

Global Update editors sat down with USGC South Asia Regional Director Reece Cannady, who recently assumed his new role, to hear the latest updates from the region.

What are your office’s top priorities for South Asia?

We will continue to work on encouraging India’s ambitious goal of incorporating E20 policy in fuel blending by 2025. With India’s commitment to this goal, USGC plans to provide support wherever necessary to push the goal over the finish line. One important aspect is discussing corn-based ethanol’s role in India’s ethanol supply chain; by increasing corn grind in ethanol production either in the U.S. or in India, it will open opportunities for increased U.S. ag exports.

On the feed grains side, we will be looking to increase and facilitate trade between the U.S. and our current corn and ingredients buyers like Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. That said, we are still not ignoring the strict non-GM market that is India. The Council is working with USDA on producing import protocols for DDGS to arrive there. During the upcoming feed grains shortages forecasted in the short term, the Council will be looking for quotas of GMO DDGS to be granted for export to India.

How is the work you’re doing in South Asia similar to the work you did in the EMEA region? Different?

I would say the work is quite different. The work I was doing in EMEA was quite a bit more linear. While there were many markets to consider, the sheer size and scope of the South Asian population and arable land mass allows it to be a bit more convoluted, and it will require some creativity and long-term discussions to identify major opportunities for U.S. exporters and growers.

Why is it important for the Council to have a physical office in the region?

As the South Asia region continues to grow, it is certainly a market of the future. A physical presence in the region shows the long-term commitment and vision to the South Asian energy and agribusiness sectors. Without showing that faith and partnership to the local population, there will be little chance to make a considerable impact. We are currently the only cooperator with a full-time office in country, and that is an exceptionally important optic to our South Asian stakeholders.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first year as director?

I would like to establish a marquee program in the region. The Council’s presence in India is fairly new, and to build our brand, I would like to come up with programs focused on establishing who the Council is in the eyes of South Asian feed millers and distillers.

What should we be paying attention to in your region?

Indian/U.S. relations continue to pepper news headlines. Just recently, Prime Minister Modi was in the U.S., and two Council staff were at an event in his presence. During his visit, he mentioned that he would like to renew partnership discussions between the two nations, saying that “the sky is not the limit.” Excitement surrounding a trade deal and/or partnership between India and the U.S. is not new; however, since President Biden’s assumption of office, that excitement has been tempered. Its renewal is something everyone should be watching, as it could tip the scales overnight.