Exhibiting at VIV Asia 2025

Founded in 1960, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing markets, enabling trade, and improving lives by promoting the global export of U.S. barley, corn, sorghum, and their value-added products, including ethanol and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). With headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Council maintains a global footprint through its network of international offices and representatives in over 50 countries.

Mission and Strategic Vision

USGC's mission is centered on strengthening demand for U.S. grains and value-added products through trade servicing, technical support, and policy advocacy. The Council works collaboratively with U.S. farmers, agribusinesses, and international stakeholders to expand global market access and build long-term trade relationships.

Product Portfolio

The U.S. Grains Council promotes a wide range of U.S. agricultural commodities and co-products:

• Barley – including food-grade and malting varieties
• Corn – yellow dent, white corn, and specialty types
• Sorghum – utilized for feed, food, and industrial purposes
• Co-products – such as DDGS, a high-protein feed component, and ethanol, a sustainable biofuel

In 2022, the U.S. exported over 69 million metric tons of coarse grains and co-products, with a value exceeding $24 billion USD, according to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service data.

Global Reach and Trade Programs

The USGC maintains nine international offices and works through consultants in key regions to facilitate export development. These locations include Mexico City, Panama City, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, and Dubai, among others. The Council's outreach is segmented into strategic advisory teams (A-Teams) focused on areas such as:

• Ethanol
• Trade Policy
• Innovation and Sustainability
• Asia, Western Hemisphere, and Middle East/Africa markets

Each year, USGC organizes over 140 international trade missions, technical exchanges, and buyer delegations, connecting U.S. suppliers directly with overseas customers.

Impact and Trade Outcomes

• In marketing year 2022/2023, U.S. corn exports reached 49.9 million metric tons, making the U.S. the second-largest corn exporter globally.
• Ethanol exports surpassed 1.3 billion gallons, with significant growth in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
• The Council’s DDGS programs have contributed to export volumes exceeding 10 million metric tons annually, valued at over $3 billion.

Key Stakeholders and Membership

The U.S. Grains Council’s membership includes:

• State checkoff organizations representing barley, corn, and sorghum producers
• Agribusiness companies in grain trading, transportation, and processing
• Ethanol producers and export service providers

This broad stakeholder base ensures the Council represents the full spectrum of U.S. grain export interests.

Capabilities and Technical Expertise

The Council offers extensive technical and logistical assistance to importing countries, helping them:

• Improve feed milling practices
• Adopt efficient storage and handling systems
• Enhance livestock nutrition using U.S. feed ingredients
• Implement blending mandates and infrastructure for ethanol adoption

In countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Vietnam, USGC’s technical services have directly led to infrastructure upgrades and significant increases in U.S. grain utilization.

Sustainability and Certification

To address growing global concerns around sustainability, USGC introduced the Corn Sustainability Assurance Protocol (CSAP) in collaboration with industry partners. This protocol documents the environmental stewardship practices of U.S. corn producers and meets international sustainability requirements.

• U.S. corn farmers produce 40% more corn per acre than 30 years ago, using less water and energy, according to the National Corn Growers Association.
• Ethanol promoted by the Council delivers a 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline.

Market Intelligence and Quality Reporting

Each year, USGC publishes detailed quality and export cargo reports. The 2023/2024 Corn Harvest Quality Report highlighted:

• 82.2% of samples graded No. 1
• Average test weight of 58.8 lb/bu
• Low levels of damage and foreign material

These transparency efforts strengthen global trust in U.S. grain exports.

Achievements and Recognition

• Supported the adoption of E10 and E20 ethanol blending mandates in countries like India and the Philippines.
• Facilitated long-term feed grain contracts with Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea valued in the billions of USD.
• Recognized for its Asia-Pacific Ethanol Summit and collaborative market expansion work with USDA and USTR.

Educational and Promotional Activities

USGC runs several training and education initiatives, including:

• Export Exchange – A biennial event that connects international grain buyers with U.S. suppliers.
• Trade Policy Boot Camps – For emerging leaders in agriculture.
• Virtual reality and online training modules – Reaching participants in over 30 countries.

The Council's digital presence is robust, with over 50 educational and promotional videos available via YouTube, and interactive webinars hosted for global partners.

Thought Leadership and Policy Advocacy

The U.S. Grains Council plays a key advisory role to U.S. policymakers on trade agreements, non-tariff barriers, and WTO compliance. It actively engages in trade negotiations, working to:

• Open markets in Africa and South Asia
• Defend science-based sanitary and phytosanitary standards
• Promote fair competition and transparent trade rules

By combining grassroots farmer support with global market expertise, the U.S. Grains Council stands as a critical link between American agriculture and the global food and fuel economy.