Photo credit: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council's 66th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting continued July 30 with industry experts and policymakers discussing agricultural exports, commodity demand and trade developments affecting U.S. grains and biofuels.
The second day of the conference opened with commodity sector meetings, where growers and agribusiness leaders reviewed developments across their industries.
The morning general session focused on commodity utilization and demand. A panel of brewers discussed the outlook for barley and malt markets, while International Bunker Industry Association Chair Adrian Tolson examined the marine industry's adoption of sustainable marine fuel.
“The quality of U.S. malt is the most consistent I’ve experienced because of the amount of hands involved in getting it to me with the most care,” said Kevin Wright, Third Space Brewing co-founder and brew master. “You’re getting a quality, consistent product that will deliver on the specifications you put forward. That’s the huge advantage of U.S. malt.”
The session also highlighted demand opportunities for agricultural products used in food and fuel markets, including the role of sustainable marine fuel in expanding bio-based fuel applications.
A second general session examined North American trade and international market developments. AGON Partner Kenneth Smith Ramos and PAA Senior Partner Dan Pfeffer reviewed the agricultural trade relationship among the United States, Mexico and Canada and discussed expectations for the coming years.
USGBC Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Oceania Caleb Wurth also provided an update on trade policy developments in Southeast Asia and Oceania that could influence demand for U.S. agricultural products.
The conference concludes July 31 with the council's Board of Delegates meeting, which will include financial, A-Team and sector reports, along with elections for open positions on the organization's board of directors.
Source: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, "Board Of Delegates Meeting Speakers Talk International Trade Policy, Commodity Demand"