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USGC economist says look at grain exports differently

An economist says despite the headlines, U.S. grain exports are pretty good.  Mike Dwyer with the U.S. Grains Council says, “We will probably set a record of at least 116 million tons of feed grains in all forms, which represents one out of every three rows of grain planted is actually going into a foreign consumer’s mouth.”

Dwyer says many people only see the movement of commodities but are missing the bigger picture.  “I think it’s a mistake to only look at commodity corn exports as the judge of how the sector is doing since our customers are increasingly choosing to buy our value-added products such as meat and ethanol.”

And, he says ethanol is the big reason exports of Grains in All Forms is about to break another record.  “This year is going to be a much bigger record than last year, and we’re selling as our number one market, is to Brazil which is our top competitor in the world but they’re buying over 500-million gallons of U.S. ethanol.”

Dwyer says Mexico and Canada might be mad at the U.S. over NAFTA terms, but Brazilian corn sales to them are a “fly on an elephant’s back” and they will still buy American commodities.

Dwyer tells Brownfield that as long as America remains competitive with other exporters of corn, ethanol, and meat, the success should continue.

Mike Dwyer talks with Brownfield’s Larry Lee about exports and grains in all forms.