Panamanian stakeholders were in the United States last week to learn more about the economic and environmental benefits of implementing ethanol blend policies and to become familiar with the various aspects of the ethanol industry and the opportunities to complement local ethanol production with imports. Led by the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) Latin America regional ethanol consultants, Juan Diaz and …
MOU Aims To Expand Ethanol Use In Vietnam
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) signed an official memorandum of understanding (MOU) this week with the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) aimed at expanding the use and availability of ethanol in Vietnam. The agreement promises to further a strong partnership between the two nations and encourage expanded ethanol use throughout Southeast Asia. “The Council stands ready to support …
Ethanol Industry Hopeful for US-Brazil Trade
U.S. ethanol stakeholder organizations are less than thrilled that Brazil’s tariff-rate quota (TRQ) has been extended now for another 90 days, but they are hopeful continued discussions will lead to a resumed free trade situation with that country. “The Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association believe the 90-day extension of the TRQ …
Export Exchange 2020 Postponed to 2021
The biennial Export Exchange is being postponed until 2021. The Exchange is co-sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council, and Growth Energy and held every other year to bring together buyers and sellers of U.S. coarse grains and co-products, including the distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The three organizations issued a joint statement on the postponement. “As …
Ethanol Industry Mourns Loss of Randy Ives
The ethanol industry lost a pioneer and a great friend this week as Randy Ives, 63, of Omaha, Nebraska has passed away after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Ives was a U.S. Grains Council (USGC) delegate and a key figure in the development of distiller’s dried grain with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol market …
Grains Council Talks Trade at NAFB Trade Talk
Trade was probably the top topic at NAFB Trade Talk last week and the U.S. Grains Council was more than ready to talk about it. Darren Armstrong, a North Carolina farmer who is currently serving as chairman of the council, discussed the need for Congress to ratify USMCA, the new agreement with Japan, potential for ethanol in China, and some …
Global Ethanol Summit Kicks Off in DC
The first Global Ethanol Summit gets underway this morning in Washington D.C. with industry and government officials from 60 countries are meeting with U.S. officials to learn about prospects for expanded global ethanol use. This week’s Summit, sponsored by the Council, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), features high-level government and industry officials from Algeria to Vietnam, who …
USDA Deputy Secretary to Keynote Global Ethanol Summit
USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky will speak at the Global Ethanol Summit (GES) in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Oct. 14-15. The Summit, sponsored jointly by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), U.S. Grains Council (USGC), and Growth Energy, is planned to engage a broad array of global ethanol leaders about the benefits of expanding ethanol use. Censky’s comments will focus on …
Japan Deal is Good for Grains and Ethanol
The U.S.-Japan trade agreement signed by President Donald Trump this week “will solidify our longstanding partnership for the future and create a platform for growth into new sales and new sectors, including the potential for sales of U.S. ethanol,” according to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Japan is one of the largest and most loyal U.S. corn customers, having bought …
U.S. Ethanol Groups Unimpressed by Brazil’s Action
Brazil will allow another 150 million liters of U.S. ethanol imports into the country each year before charging a 20% import tariff, increasing the tariff rate quota (TRQ) to 750 million from 600 million liters per year, but U.S. trade and ethanol organizations are unimpressed. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says maintaining any protectionist trade barrier represents …