Export Exchange 2018 Speakers Share Outlook for U.S. Grains, Highlight DDGS
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. grains experts were laser focused on the outlook for U.S. corn and its co-products – highlighting the importance of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) – at Export Exchange 2018 in Minneapolis today.
Export Exchange is a biennial educational and trade forum for U.S. feed grains that will host attendees from both the U.S. and various countries organized into 21 U.S. Grains Council (USGC) trade teams. Both teams will meet with U.S. suppliers and get a chance to learn about current supply and demand for U.S. feed products.
Keynote speaker Roger Watchorn, group leader at Cargill Agriculture Supply Chain North America, spoke to Export Exchange attendees about the advantages of North America as a supplier.
Co-sponsored by the USGC, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Export Exchange 2018 offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to meet and build relationships with domestic suppliers of corn, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), sorghum, barley and other commodities.
“The U.S. DDGS market is once again on the rise in various parts of the world,” said Tom Sleight, USGC president and chief executive officer. “Not only are we seeing increases of DDGS purchases in the Western Hemisphere – in Mexico and Canada – but we’re also seeing increases in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and India. Highlighting the importance and versatility of U.S. DDGS at Export Exchange only makes sense.”
After welcome remarks by USGC Chairman Jim Stitzlein and the USDA’s Associate Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service Daniel Whitley, attendees heard from Export Exchange keynote speaker Roger Watchorn, group leader at Cargill Agriculture Supply Chain North America.
“North America continues to be a leader in production technologies and a major player in global trade,” said Watchorn. “One in seven people worldwide depend on global trade for their basic food needs. We connect farmers with those who need our products around the world. North America is unrivaled in optionality and supply chain efficiencies and we are ready to meet those needs.”
To round out the morning, the USDA’s Chief Economist Dr. Robert Johansson shared with attendees the USDA’s 10-year outlook on feed grains’ production, supply and distribution.
The afternoon was devoted to one feed grain co-product in particular – DDGS – with speakers including Tyson Foods Poultry Nutritionist Philip Smith, ProExporter Senior Analyst Bill Holbrook, Renewable Fuels Association Regulatory Affairs Vice President Kelly Davis and Distillers Grains Technology Council’s Executive Director Kurt Rosentrater covering poultry nutrition, export challenges and opportunities, food safety regulations and new products including pelleting, high protein versions and advancing technologies.
“DDGS and other ethanol co-products provide a value-added market for the U.S. ethanol industry,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “DDGS exports last year were shipped to 50 countries on five continents, and with upwards of 21 countries represented here at Export Exchange, this is an ideal platform to connect buyers and sellers to meet.”
Throughout the meeting, international attendees – composed of grain buyers from more than 35 countries – are encouraged to meet with U.S. sellers via an exhibit hall experience called Export Exchange Expo open throughout the conference. It is here that trades between end-users and U.S. sellers occur.
The conference runs through Wednesday at the Minneapolis Hilton. More information is available at www.exportexchange.org or on social media at #ExEx18.
Please visit www.grains.org for more information about the Council.
For more information about RFA, visit www.ethanolrfa.org.
For more information about Growth Energy, visit www.growthenergy.org.
Contact:
Bryan Jernigan, U.S. Grains Council, bjernigan@grains.org
Rachel Gantz, Renewable Fuels Association, rgantz@ethanolrfa.org
Leigh Claffey, Growth Energy, lclaffey@growthenergy.org
###
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 13 key markets and representatives in an additional 15 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.
About Growth Energy
Growth Energy represents producers and supporters of ethanol working to bring consumers better choices at the fuel pump, grow America’s economy and improve the environment for future generations. The organization’s national campaign – online at www.GetBiofuel.com – serves as the leading source of information for consumers seeking cleaner, more affordable fueling options. For more information on our organization, visit www.GrowthEnergy.org, follow on Twitter @GrowthEnergy, or connect on Facebook.
About the Renewable Fuels Association
The Renewable Fuels Association is the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry. Its mission is to advance the development, production, and use of ethanol fuel by strengthening America’s ethanol industry and raising awareness about the benefits of renewable fuels. RFA’s members are working to help America become cleaner, safer, more energy independent and economically secure. For more information, visit EthanolRFA.org.