Export Exchange 2026 Opens With Presentations About Global Supply And Demand, Shipping Logistics And Sustainable Production

SEATTLE, WASH. - Export Exchange 2026 continued today in Seattle, Wash., where the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), partnering with Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), welcomed more than 500 guests including international buyers and domestic U.S. value chain stakeholders to the conference.

With more than 20 industry exhibitors to further showcase the breadth of the U.S. agriculture and agribusiness industries, Export Exchange encourages real-time trade and relationship building.

"The Council engages in your local markets to help provide answers like these to questions you may have about U.S. grains and we offer conferences like this one to put you in direct contact with trade and research experts who can answer questions you have about U.S. commodities," said Ryan LeGrand, USGBC president and CEO in his remarks at the event's opening general session.

"Here, you can build business-to-business relationships with U.S. agricultural representatives and industry leaders to cultivate the future between your country and ours."

Later in the morning's sessions, Northwest Seaport Alliance Commissioner Ryan Calkins welcomed attendees to the region and U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service Deputy Administrator for Trade Policy and Geographical Affairs Chris Riker provided an overview of how U.S. agricultural products are advancing in markets around the world.

USGBC Chairman Jay Reiners signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BioPower Energy, a joint venture of Quazar Investment and Petron Scientech that plans to build, own and operate a fully integrated biorefinery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday. The MOU signified BioPower Energy's intention to procure 50 to 100 percent of its feedstock needs from U.S. suppliers.

Other Friday speakers illustrated the breadth and scope of the U.S. feed grain value chain, including Growth Energy Director of Global Policy Emily Marthaler; ProExporter Network President Marty Ruikka; RFA Chief Counsel Ed Hubbard; Wittaya Aqua CEO Stephen Gunter; RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman; United Sorghum Checkoff Program Executive Director Norma Ritz Johnson; USGBC Director of Global Sustainability Carlos F. Suárez; and Polaris Analytics and Consulting Managing Member Ken Eriksen.

Export Exchange 2026 will conclude tomorrow with details about new co-products in the market by Dried Distillers Council Executive Director Joe Ward; a look into how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to expand U.S. agricultural exports with USDA International Trade Specialist Collin Bradley; and a panel discussion about U.S. corn's superior performance and value moderated by USGBC Manager of Global Strategies and Trade Mark Sevier.

Outside of the general sessions, Export Exchange 2026 also features an exhibit hall with more than 20 producers, associations and agribusinesses and dedicated meeting spaces for attendees to make connections and build their businesses.

More information is available at reg.eventmobi.com/export-exchange-2026 or on social media using the hashtag #ExEx26.