U.S. Grains Council (USGC) President and CEO Ryan LeGrand led a delegation to Guatemala and Panama last week to bolster agricultural trade relations and explore new export opportunities for American feed grains and biofuels.
In Guatemala, the ninth-largest destination for U.S. grain exports in marketing year 2023/2024, LeGrand met with public and private sector stakeholders, including grain importers and ethanol industry representatives. The country imported over 1.5 million metric tons of U.S. grain in various forms during that period.
"Our goal is not only to maintain but also to deepen and diversify our trade relationships," LeGrand said.
The delegation also met with U.S. Ambassador Tobin Bradley and USDA Foreign Agricultural Service staff to strengthen agricultural cooperation.
In Panama, LeGrand visited the Council's regional office and met with Panama Canal Authority officials to discuss renewing a memorandum of understanding and strategies to enhance the canal's transit capacity. The team also explored opportunities related to Panama's newly announced ethanol blending program, set to begin in 2026.
The USGC will host its International Marketing Conference and Annual Membership Meeting in Panama City in February, further advancing regional trade initiatives.
