U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, USGC Regional Director for Latin America Marri Tejada and USGC Regional Ethanol Consultant Federico Salcedo recently visited Guatemala and Panama to enhance trade relations and explore new opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports, particularly feed grains and biofuels.In Guatemala, LeGrand engaged in productive discussions with key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including companies and associations involved in grain imports and ethanol. These meetings contributed to advancing cooperation between the U.S. and Guatemala, ranked as the ninth-largest destination for U.S. grain exports in all forms (GIAF) during marketing year 2023/2024, surpassing 1.5 million metric tons.LeGrand also met with the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Tobin Bradley and U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service staff, strengthening agricultural ties and exploring opportunities to expand the U.S. grain and ethanol trade.“Through these meetings and ongoing dialogue, our goal is not only to maintain but also to deepen and diversify our trade relationships, ensuring long-term success in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world,” LeGrand said.In Panama, LeGrand visited the Council’s regional office in Panama City and discussed the Canal’s critical role in global grain and biofuel trade with officials from the Panama Canal Authority. During the meeting, they discussed strategies to renew a memorandum of understanding (MOU) previously signed by the parties, and the Canal Authority outlined some strategies to enhance the Canal’s ship transit capacity—essential for maintaining efficient trade flow along this vital maritime route.Furthermore, the Council’s team discussed Panama’s newly announced ethanol blending program that will begin in 2026. This initiative aims to support Panama’s efforts to reduce emissions and promote using renewable energy sources.The Council will also host its 23rd International Marketing Conference and 66th Annual Membership Meeting in Panama City in February, providing a further platform for industry leaders and stakeholders to promote U.S. agricultural exports and trade in the region.Learn more about the Council’s work in Latin America&nbsp;<a href="https://grains.org/news-events/newsroom/#region=50">here</a>.

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USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, USGC Regional Director for Latin America Marri Tejada and USGC Regional Ethanol Consultant Federico Salcedo visited Guatemala and Panama to enhance trade relations.

USGC: LeGrand in Latin America to strengthen feed grains, biofuels trade opportunities

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