Export Exchange 2012 in Minneapolis October 22-24

The U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association are pleased to announce dates for the Export Exchange 2012, an international trade conference focused on the export of U.S. coarse grains and co-products, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten. The conference and exhibition will be held Oct. 22-24, 2012 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center. The Export Exchange is uniquely focused on connecting international buyers of U.S. coarse grains and DDGS with U.S. producers, suppliers and exporters. This event will bring together international buyers and end-users of U.S. DDGS and coarse grains with U.S. producers and agribusinesses.

“Export Exchange 2010 was a huge success,” said Wendell Shauman, USGC chairman. “People from all around the world gathered in one central location to make deals and get information regarding these vital commodities. Business contacts made during the conference are still being used today. Direct access for buyers and sellers doesn’t get much easier than meetings like the Export Exchange.”

U.S. grain farmers and ethanol producers continue to reap benefits from last year’s highly successful meeting in Chicago. Sales negotiations were conducted at the conference and confidentiality was respected, yet one Taiwanese team announced a purchase of $2.6 million in DDGS at the conference. Further discussions and contacts also led to one of Morocco’s largest feed milling operations buying U.S. DDGS directly from a Midwestern ethanol plant. The plant representative ensured specific transportation for his buyer and since the initial transaction in October, the Moroccan company has purchased three additional vessels, each carrying 12,000-15,000 metric tons of U.S. DDGS. Purchases like these are a direct result of U.S. farmer-funded programs and events.

“The Export Exchange series is an invaluable opportunity to foster greater understanding and establish new market opportunities for ethanol feed products,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen.

Additional information regarding the Export Exchange 2012 will be posted at http://www.exportexchange.org as it develops. Contact USGC membership coordinator Lyndsey Erb-Sharkey at lerbsharkey @grains.org to be added to a mailing list to automatically receive conference updates.

More than 500 buyers and sellers of U.S. coarse grains and co-products will attend. Will you?