The U.S. Grains Council (USGC), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy encourage U.S. suppliers of coarse grains and co-products, industry representatives and members of the grain trade to register now for Export Exchange 2018, scheduled for Oct. 22 to 24 in Minneapolis.
The biennial event – co-sponsored by the Council, RFA and Growth Energy – is expected to bring together 200 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), with approximately 300 U.S. suppliers and agribusiness representatives.
“Export Exchange connects international grain buyers with U.S. suppliers,” said Deb Keller, USGC chairman and farmer from Iowa. “We are excited to have export industry members join us, and so many of our customers in Minneapolis to learn the latest about U.S. exports and how to purchase.”
In addition to networking opportunities, the conference will offer general sessions addressing address critical issues facing U.S. agricultural exports, increasing the awareness of customers and sellers in attendance of the benefits of U.S. coarse grains and products like DDGS.
Preceding and following the conference in Minneapolis, the Council will sponsor teams of overseas buyers visiting the U.S. Midwest to tour the coarse grains production and export systems firsthand. The 2016 event included a mix of 19 pre-conference and post-conference tours, a logistical feat that offered international guests a prime view of corn and sorghum harvest and U.S. export infrastructure in more than 15 U.S. states.
After the culmination of the 2016 conference and related tours, buyers and end-users reported sales of approximately 2.6 million metric tons of grains and co-products worth $460 million, contracted or negotiated during or immediately after Export Exchange events.
Registration for the 2018 Export Exchange is available online at www.exportexchange.org. USGC, RFA and Growth Energy members are eligible for discounted pricing and should identify themselves as such at the time of registration.
More information will be distributed in the coming months to members of the grains industries and will be made available online at www.exportexchange.org or on social media using the hashtag #ExEx18.
Those interested can sign up for a mailing list to automatically receive conference updates by emailing info@exportexchange.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 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.