6/14(Sat) USGC
#USGC
#USGrainCouncil
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC)—often referred to as the “U.S. Grain Export Council”—covering its mission, structure, activities, and current trends:
What Is the U.S. Grains Council?
• Founded: 1960
Type: Independent, non-profit trade association supported by U.S. producers and agribusinesses 
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., with ~28 offices and programs in 50+ countries 
Mission: • Develop markets • Enable trade • Improve lives 
Core Focus: Export promotion for U.S. corn, barley, sorghum, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), ethanol, and related co-products
#DDGS
#DistillersDriedGrainswithSolubles
Organizational Structure & Funding
Members: U.S. grain producers and agribusinesses
Funding: Membership dollars leveraged with Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) funds—market development program valued at ~$25 million annually 
Global Activities & Impact
Market Development
Operates live training, technical seminars, and feed trials in key markets like Asia, Latin America, and Africa 
Strengthening livestock and feed sectors abroad by promoting U.S. co-products like DDGS 
Sustainability Initiatives
Launched the Sustainable Corn Exports platform, featuring the Corn Sustainability Assurance Protocol (CSAP) to certify U.S. corn sustainability practices 
#CSAP
#CornSustainabilityAssuranceProtocol
Policy & Trade Facilitation
Advocates for free and fair trade, improved market access via trade agreements, and transparency in grain market reporting 
Recent Performance & Market Trends
2022/23 exports: 42.1 million metric tons of U.S. corn; over 75 countries bought U.S. grains and co-products 
2024 surge: U.S. bulk ag exports rose 22%, with strong demand from Mexico, Colombia, Japan, and South Korea—though China’s uptake softened 
• 2025–26 outlook:
Corn is tracking for a near-record export year, but early bookings are slightly under average  
Soybean sales are sluggish, hitting multi‑year lows, especially to China 
#Corn
#Soybean
Current Initiatives & Missions
Annual Grain Export Mission: Members visit markets in Southeast Asia (e.g., Vietnam, Thailand) for farmer–buyer engagement and technical seminars 
Biofuel collaboration: Signed MOUs (e.g., with Mexico’s Tamaulipas) to promote ethanol blending and sustainable fuel use 
Trade mission to Hong Kong via USDA—enhancing business-to-business export channels 
Summary
Aspect Highlights
Mission Promote U.S. feed grains & co-products globally
Coverage 50+ countries, many technical & promotional programs
Recent Trends Export rebound in 2024; cautious trajectory into 2025–26
Key Initiatives Sustainability certification, market missions, trade policy advocacy
Would you like a deeper dive into any of the following?
USGC’s country-specific export strategies (e.g., Vietnam, Mexico, China)
Technical programs: DDGS research, sustainability audits
Policy issues: shipping cost impacts, trade barriers, or tariff developments
