JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) hosted a U.S. Grains Council (USGC)-led trade team from India last month to provide a closer look at the ethanol value chain. Comprised of members from India’s automotive manufacturers, oil companies, and the country’s Governmental Energy Transition Team, the trade group joined USGC and MCMC staff to see the process from corn plant to retail. India previously established the goal of transitioning from E10 to an E20 blending requirement by 2030. Recently, their government announced the transition will occur by 2025. To answer questions from the various value chain stakeholders, the trade team explored all ethanol components from plant to pump.
The team visited with MCMC board member Adam Casner on his farm, where they saw U.S. corn production firsthand. Located in Carrollton, much of Casner’s crop goes to two local ethanol plants, showcasing the direct benefit of ethanol production to growers. The team also visited two ethanol plants and a retail fuel location offering mid-level ethanol blends. In addition, the group participated in technical conversations with researchers from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab and Oak Ridge National Lab.
As international travel continues to reopen, Missouri Corn looks forward to more opportunities to engage with foreign buyers and expand global markets for Missouri corn farmers. MCMC’s longstanding partnership with the USGC allows growers to showcase the continuously improving practices along with the high quality and quantity of U.S. corn and ethanol production.
These longstanding efforts are paying dividends for growers. According to a new study prepared for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, programs to help U.S. farmers build markets overseas boosted agricultural exports by an average of $9.6 billion annually from 1977 to 2019, an annual lift of 13.7% in export revenues and returning $24.5 for every dollar invested.
— Missouri Corn Growers Association