U.S. Department of Agriculture Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse is planning a mission to Mexico next week to promote U.S. ethanol as a cleaning burning, renewable fuel source. U.S. Grains Council Director in Mexico Ryan LeGrand will accompany the mission as it examines potential for exports there.

“During the mission, the group will attend meetings with government officials, legislators and the Mexican private industry in an attempt to learn more about future possibilities for ethanol blending in Mexico,� LeGrand said. “Several of the largest U.S. ethanol producers will also be on the mission, helping build positive working relationships.�

Energy reforms happening in Mexico are creating the potential for ethanol exports to Mexico.

“Since Mexico’s energy reforms were enacted, Mexico has started slowly moving to become a completely free market for petroleum and gasoline,� LeGrand said. “By January 1, 2018, Mexico’s gasoline industry will be operating in a completely free and open market for these products.�

As part of these reforms, the Mexican government is currently looking into implementing an E6 option blend, which would create a 790 million gallon (3 billion liter) market for ethanol.

“The Council believes the timing couldn’t be better for the introduction of ethanol as the principal oxygenate used in the Mexican gasoline supply,� LeGrand said.

Following the mission, the Council will host a conference in Mexico that will focus on topics such as using ethanol at varying blend levels, the effectiveness of ethanol in high altitudes and the economic benefits of using ethanol.

Click here to learn more about the Council’s efforts to promote U.S. ethanol in this market.