Washington - The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the U.S. Grains Council are pleased to announce the Export Exchange 2010, an international trade conference focused around the export of U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and coarse grains. This co-sponsored event will bring together more than 150 international buyers of U.S. DDGS and coarse grains with more than 300 U.S. producers and agribusinesses. The conference will be held on Oct. 6-8, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel in Chicago, Ill.

“The opportunity to educate foreign buyers about high quality, U.S.-produced DDGS could not come at a better time,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “At current dietary inclusion levels, distillers grains consumption is nearing saturation in the United States. Increasing U.S. exports of distillers grains will be instrumental in helping the industry avoid running into a ‘feed wall.’ Fortunately, markets around the world are rapidly opening, creating demand for approximately 15 to 20 percent of all distillers grains produced today. We look forward to fostering continued growth in export markets and we are excited to co-sponsor the premier forum for connecting international feed buyers with U.S. producers of distillers grains.”

The Export Exchange 2010 is uniquely focused on connecting international buyers of DDGS and coarse grains with the U.S. market. The Council is providing sponsorship for the attendance of targeted international trade teams from more than 25 countries. These participants represent nearly 80 percent of the global export market for DDGS and coarse grains. The conference will address critical issues facing U.S. exports and seek to educate and build awareness of U.S. DDGS and coarse grains among international buyers.

“We are excited to have the Renewable Fuels Association co-sponsor the Export Exchange 2010,” said USGC President and CEO Thomas C. Dorr. “The burgeoning world population is demanding more meat, milk and eggs. U.S. DDGS and coarse grains continue to play an important role in livestock and poultry feed rations globally. We have to educate and connect our buyers and sellers to continue to grow vital markets for the United States.”

For more information and updates about the Export Exchange 2010: Get answers. Make contacts. Build business. visit www.grains.org.

As the national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry, the Renewable Fuels Association promotes policies, regulations and research and development initiatives that will lead to the increased production and use of fuel ethanol. RFA membership includes a broad cross-section of businesses, individuals and organizations dedicated to the expansion of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry. Organized in 1981, RFA serves as the voice of the ethanol industry, providing advocacy, authoritative analysis, and important industry data to its members, Congress, federal and state government agencies, strategic partners, the media and other opinion-leader audiences.

The U.S. Grains Council is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and their co-products. The Council is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 10 international offices and active market development programs in more than 50 countries. Financial support from the Council’s private industry members, including state checkoff’s, agribusinesses, state entities and others, triggers federal matching funds from the government and support from cooperating groups in other countries, producing an annual market development program valued at more than $26 million.

Contact:

Marri Carrow, U.S. Grains Council 202-789-0789
Matt Hartwig, Renewable Fuels Association 202-289-3835