U.S. Grains Council leaders and staff visited Spain this week to offer Spanish grain buyers a look at the organization’s 2021/2022 Corn Harvest Quality Report. Council Vice Chairman Josh Miller, a farmer from Indiana; President and CEO Ryan LeGrand; and Middle East/Africa/Europe Manager of Global Trade Reece Cannady participated in the rollout event.
In January 2022 the European Union (EU) removed 25 percent import duties on U.S. corn that were imposed in June 2018. This action opened an export opportunity for up to 2 million metric tons (MMT), or 80 million bushels, of U.S. corn. The Council’s engagement this week is vital in promoting U.S. corn exports to its Spanish counterparts.
The Corn Harvest Quality Report provides the Council an opportunity to showcase the outstanding quality of the 2021 crop to Spanish importers, especially with regard to bulk shipments, and to remind customers that the U.S. agricultural sector is committed to being a reliable supplier of agricultural exports.
“Spain is a valued customer and a stronghold for U.S. agricultural exports to Europe,” Miller said. “The market is a consistent customer for U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and Spain looking at buying U.S. corn is a product of our logistical certainty.”
LeGrand provided opening remarks at the event in Madrid before Cannady presented the findings of the report. Miller provided attendees with a firsthand account of the 2021 growing season in the United States, sharing his personal experiences and answering questions about his crop.
To wrap up the program, Sergio Dettmer, senior risk management consultant at StoneX, an institutional-grade financial services network, offered a virtual presentation on U.S. corn and DDGS production, supply and distribution.
The Council hopes that by presenting the findings of the 2021/2022 report, the Spanish market will have increased confidence when purchasing U.S. corn.
The 2021/2022 Corn Harvest Quality Report provides information about the quality of the current U.S. crop at harvest as it enters international merchandising channels. A second Council report, the 2021/2022 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report will be released soon, measuring corn quality at the point of loading for export.
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.