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Delegation makes stops along Minnesota’s ethanol value chain

International visitors who attended this week’s Global Ethanol Summit in Washington D.C. are now embarking on tours that highlight the U.S. ethanol value chain.

The U.S. Grains Council is helping lead the delegations, which USGC president Ryan LeGrand says represent 60 countries.

“They’ve gone out to various states to see what we have to offer in terms of ethanol production, the efficiencies we have throughout the supply chain, and just learning more about what it is that we do and how we’re able to provide an affordable and clean fuel to the world.”

He tells Brownfield the tours will include stops at ethanol plants, fueling stations, and farms.

“A lot of these folks are coming from countries that may not be fully mechanized in their farming, so they’re seeing and riding in large combines for the first time. So it really is a memorable experience and a real teaching moment for these folks that go through the states.”

LeGrand says while China and Mexico stand out as key export markets, countries like Indonesia that subsidize gasoline could save billions of dollars by blending ethanol.

A delegation that includes buyers from 15 Middle Eastern and African countries are in Minnesota through Friday and will stop at an ethanol retail facility, a fuel distribution and blending site, as well as a corn farm.