The Importance of International Relations

Around 44% of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board’s budget is invested in market development, including programs operated by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in developed export markets for U.S. corn, barley, grain sorghum and related products, including ethanol and distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS). Exports are vital to the global economic development and to U.S. agriculture and in order to continue to grow markets — USGC has offices stationed all over the world and across the county in order to strengthen trade and build relationships.

It is no secret that our relationship with our southern neighbor and largest buyer of U.S. corn is strained, and many farmers remain uneasy over the fact that the U.S.’s relationship with Mexico is not as strong as it has been. Uneasiness within the countryside is justified and the importance of the Mexican market for U.S. corn farmers cannot be overstated. 

Ryan LeGrand, Director of the U.S. Grains Council Mexico Office, understands the importance of U.S. ag trade with Mexico and opening up new markets:

“In this last marketing year, Mexico was the top buyer of U.S. corn — purchasing grain worth $2.5 billion. Mexico is the second largest purchasers of U.S. DDGS and, in the future and with the right policies in place, could be a strong buyer of U.S. ethanol.

“Every sale into this market helps support the prices farmers receive for their grains, so continuing to grow the market is a top priority for groups like Iowa Corn and the U.S. Grains Council.”

Learn more about the work that Iowa Corn and the U.S. Grains Council is doing.