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India mission trip highlights potential trade opportunities

The deputy director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture says a budding relationship with India could prove beneficial to the state’s producers.

Kristi Jones visited the country on a recent trade mission with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

“I think there’s real opportunity with ethanol, commercial ethanol.”  She says, “So with pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, those are conversations that we want to start to have, and we really planted the seed for that when we were there.”

She tells Brownfield, “As for ethanol for vehicles, right now the government is opposed to that.”  She says, “That may change.  Traffic is a nightmare and the environment is incredibly important to them.  So, when you think about the benefits of ethanol, I think it really makes sense there.”

Jones says building these types of relationships is vital and could lead to opportunities to expand trade access for other sectors including biodiesel and specialty crops.

“Nuts and grains and pulses are really booming over there because it’s something that’s branded.”  She says, “They love the appeal of a California almond or a Washington apple, so there is opportunity for our specialty crop growers.”

Jones hopes to reciprocate the visit and invite officials from India to tour Illinois in the near future.

Brownfield spoke with Jones at the 2026 University of Illinois Ag Tech Summit in Champaign.

AUDIO: Kristi Jones – Illinois Department of Agriculture

(Photo courtesy of IDOA)