During the U.S. Grains Council’s 9th International Marketing Conference and 52nd Annual Membership Meeting a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Council and the Panama Canal Authority to cooperate in sharing studies and market-related information that will allow both organizations to project the future demand of U.S. grain exports and grain shipments through the Panama Canal.

Through this agreement, both organizations may elect to:

1.Undertake joint marketing efforts to generate awareness of the benefits of the Canal expansion;
2.Share data that may be helpful in forecasting future trade flows, development marketing strategies and obtaining additional knowledge about the shipping market;
3.Exchange information contained in studies performed by them or by their consultants or representatives; and
4.Share information regarding improvements and/or modernization efforts being undertaken.

It is intended that this relationship will last for five years, renewable upon mutual agreement.