To mark the occasion, a delegation of Council leadership, including the president, vice president, and executive board, has arrived in Delhi to open the office and sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Society of Indian Automobile Association (SIAM) at the Auto Expo 2023.
For more than 25 years, the Council has worked with government officials in India to create market access for distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol for fuel. In recent years, USGC has collaborated with a variety of stakeholders to raise awareness about ethanol and its benefits. The opening of this new office represents an important step forward in USGC's journey and commitment to facilitating Indo-US trade, developing markets, and improving lives.
"The US-India trade relationship has never been better," said Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of USGC. “India is already our second-largest ethanol trading partner, with all ethanol imported for industrial use. With its ambitious ethanol blending programme, India is poised to become one of the world's leading ethanol markets. There is significant potential for collaboration between India and the United States, as well as for India to increase its ethanol blending capacity. Given this context, we have established a separate regional office to collaborate with our stakeholders in developing India's sustainable ethanol blending programme," he added.
"India is a vibrant economy with growing energy needs, and ethanol offers a good solution to offset the import bill as well as move toward net zero," said Alejandra Danielson Castillo, USGC Director in India, in her welcome note. The United States underwent a similar transformation and shift toward biofuels. It has created a strong regulatory framework and infrastructure to support its biofuel industry and combat climate change."
"Our farmer members and agribusinesses would like to share the benefits of our experience with India in areas such as transportation, pricing, logistics, and environmental considerations."
The USGC has been particularly active in the region, taking an active role in discussions to promote the use of biofuels and clean energy in India. With the establishment of this new office, USGC will also be able to establish a Centre of Excellence to disseminate knowledge and best practices to all stakeholders.
The United States Grains Council works to expand export markets for barley, corn, sorghum, and related products such as distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. The Council operates programmes in more than 50 countries and the European Union from 28 full-time locations. The Council believes that exports are critical to global economic development and the profitability of US agriculture.
