The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council recently conducted meetings and hosted a marketing conference in Bangladesh aimed at restarting American corn exports to the South Asian nation for the first time since 2017.
The initiative comes as Bangladesh, with annual coarse grain demand of 1.4 million metric tons, faces supply challenges after traditional supplier India reduced exports due to its domestic ethanol blending program.
“Bangladesh is one of the most important markets in South Asia,” said Alexander Grabois, USGBC manager of global strategies and trade. “It’s the only market in the region without restrictions on genetically-modified corn imports.”
The council’s 2025 Bangladesh Corn Marketing Conference attracted 31 feed industry representatives and featured presentations on U.S. corn quality, storage practices and performance in poultry diets.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson addressed attendees, highlighting bilateral relations and emerging grain trade opportunities.
Bangladesh last purchased significant U.S. corn in 2017, importing about 55,000 metric tons.
“They are very important DDGS customers who prefer U.S. origin over others,” said Kurt Shultz, USGBC senior director. “We look forward to them soon becoming regular buyers of U.S. coarse grains.”
