With a large grain supply around the world and a strong U.S. dollar, U.S. coarse grain exports are facing strong competition in the global marketplace. As corn planting begins, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is working to share with farmers how important exports are to their bottom lines.

“Just 10 years ago, the United States was the leading exporter of coarse grains and accounted for 80 percent of the total corn sold on the market,� said USGC Manager of Global Trade Manuel Sanchez. “Today, however, we have tremendous competition from Brazil, which has updated its infrastructure and from the Black Sea region, specifically Ukraine. We have to keep supplying our reliable buyers with the high-quality grain they desire.�

The Council is looking at both bulk commodities and value-added products as opportunities for sales of the grain produced by U.S. farmers, a measurement referred to in terms of feed grains in all forms.

“If you look past the bulk commodities, into feed grains in all forms, which includes ethanol, co-products and value-added exports such as meat and dairy, you will see a place where U.S. exports can compete heavily this year,� Sanchez said.

The Council has worked for years to build demand for co-products, including adding ethanol export promotion programs to its dossier.

“The Council has partnered up with the ethanol industry, and we’re taking great steps to promote ethanol overseas in markets like Mexico, India and China in the coming year,� Sanchez said. “Almost 30 percent of our resources are going to be dedicated this year to the promotion of ethanol exports, as they are a great way to utilize some of the corn stocks we have available.�

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Click here to read past Global Update articles about USGC’s ethanol export promotion programs.