Staff and members of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) recently traveled to Japan to participate in the 2025 U.S. Bioethanol Supply Conference, meet Japanese industry stakeholders and visit key sites in the transportation and energy sectors.

“The Council is eager to build on Japan’s status as a reliable export partner for U.S. agriculture by continuing to grow demand for bioproducts in multiple sectors as the next frontier in the trade relationship,” said Alicia Koch, USGBC director of global ethanol export development.

“By leveraging existing market share and consumer loyalty to U.S. products along with engagement from Council members and other domestic industry leaders, the Council can help ensure U.S. bioproducts are at the forefront of the market in Japan.”

Koch was joined by representatives from Council members Cargill, Eco-Energy, Illinois Corn, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Marquis Energy, Nebraska Corn and Zeeland Farm Services to connect with policymakers and potential customers for U.S. bioproducts.