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Indiana farmers benefit from U.S. and India trade relationship

India is the third largest U.S. agricultural importer and that creates demand opportunities for Indiana corn and soybean farmers.

Courtney Kingrey, CEO of Indiana Corn and the Indiana Soybean Alliance recently returned from a trade mission to India and says the country is working to expand its trading partners.

“India is looking to diversify away from Russia and China for some of their trade, and the U.S. is the natural partner that we have the same values of democracy,” she said.

Kingrey says last November India announced it was reducing its tariff on poultry imports from 30% to 5%.  She says that will benefit Indiana’s farmers.

“With Indiana’s leading role in turkey and duck, that really opens up that market more,” she said. “Turkey and duck going into India means more corn and soybeans and soybean meal that those turkeys and ducks are eating locally.”

She tells Brownfield India has a goal of being 20% ethanol dependent by 2025.

“India does not grow enough corn on their own to be able to supply,” she said. “There’s a tremendous opportunity around corn, Indiana corn, and U.S. ethanol to be able to meet the needs for the Indian market.”

Kingrey says India will be a key export market for Indiana corn and soybeans in the future.

AUDIO: Courtney Kingrey, CEO of Indiana Corn and the Indiana Soybean Alliance