A new report supported by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council concludes that expanding global biofuel markets could strengthen food, economic and energy security while increasing food and feed production without requiring additional cropland.
Commissioned by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action and prepared by S&P Global Energy analysts, the report examines how increased biofuel production could be achieved through higher agricultural productivity and technological advancements rather than expanded farmland.
According to the report, a high-growth biofuel scenario would increase global food and feed supplies by 45% compared with baseline projections. The analysis challenges the assumption that food, fuel and other bio-based products must compete for limited agricultural resources.
The report also finds that stronger demand for biofuels could encourage long-term investment in precision agriculture, higher-yield crop varieties and conservation practices. Those investments are expected to improve productivity while reducing the environmental footprint of crop production.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council said the findings will help support discussions with international trading partners about expanding renewable fuel blend rates and the role of U.S. agriculture in meeting growing global fuel demand.
The organization said the data could help position U.S. farmers to supply a larger share of the estimated 940 billion gallon global liquid fuel market, including demand from marine and aviation sectors.
Source: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, "USGBC Supports USFRA Biofuels Study"