The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s delegation on a Trade Reciprocity mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aiming to expand export opportunities for U.S. feed grains, biofuels and agricultural products.
USGBC Vice Chairman Jay Reiners, President Ryan LeGrand and Regional Director Caleb Wurth accompanied USDA Under Secretary Luke Lindberg on the trip. Reiners noted the strong alignment between the Council and USDA in developing international markets.
“With recent trade deals removing legacy tariff barriers in Malaysia and the region, it is the perfect time for the U.S. agricultural industry to unlock new partners and grow export volume,” he said.
The delegation met with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation to explore growth opportunities and held talks with Petronas, Malaysia’s state-owned oil and gas company, to discuss expanding U.S. ethanol use.
“Malaysia can be a fulcrum for regional biofuel trade and a hub for blending on-road, bunker and aviation fuel,” said Wurth. He thanked Lindberg for recognizing the opportunity for U.S. ethanol producers to gain a significant partner in Malaysia and use it as a launch pad for growth in neighboring markets.
