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Growing international markets expected to drive U.S. ethanol exports

The chairman of the U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council says the ethanol export outlook is positive.

“We see that as having the fastest, biggest potential of moving corn.”

Mark Wilson, who farms in northern Illinois, says several Asian countries are expanding use of the renewable fuel, and the U.S. is poised to be a main supplier.

“Like in Japan, they’re going to go to a 10% blend of ethanol.”  He says, “That’s 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol. The Philippines is already at an E10. They’re moving to an E15. That’s all because of the work of the Council. Vietnam is also signing an E10, which is a 400-million-gallon market also.”

He tells Brownfield that Central America also looks promising.

“Guatemala is another example.”  He says, “They’re looking at doing an E10 at the first part of the year. You know that’s another 40 million gallons. We hope we get started there, then we will spread out through Central America.”

Wilson says the recent trade framework with the United Kingdom would also expand ethanol exports to that market, which adds to his optimistic outlook.

AUDIO: Mark Wilson – U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council