Guatemalan Leaders Visit United States To Advance E10 Implementation

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) recently hosted a high-level delegation from Guatemala for a trade and learning mission to Washington, D.C. and Indiana to strengthen bilateral cooperation and support the country's national E10 ethanol blending program. Guatemala is preparing to become the first Central American country to implement an E10 gasoline blending program in more than 40 years, creating new long-term opportunities for U.S. ethanol exports.

"Guatemala is writing a new chapter for transportation fuels in Central America," said Federico Salcedo, USGBC Latin America ethanol strategy lead.

"This mission allowed policymakers to experience how ethanol supports energy security, cleaner transportation, rural prosperity and economic growth. As Guatemala advances its E10 program, these exchanges and partnerships will strengthen confidence in the market while creating new opportunities for long-term trade between Guatemala and U.S. agricultural producers."

The delegation included leaders from Guatemala's Congress, officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and ethanol industry representatives.

Salcedo and USGBC Ethanol Consultant Lady Gómez accompanied the mission, facilitating exchanges with U.S. government agencies, industry associations and private-sector leaders to strengthen technical knowledge, institutional relationships and understanding of the U.S. ethanol industry.

In Washington, D.C., the delegation met with stakeholders and policymakers including the Council, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy. Discussions focused on ethanol policy, fuel quality standards, market oversight, consumer education and ethanol's role in strengthening energy security, reducing emissions and supporting rural economic development.

In Indiana, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council coordinated visits across the ethanol value chain. Delegates toured POET's Alexandria ethanol plant, observed storage and blending operations at a U.S. Energy terminal , met with Family Express to discuss retail fuel marketing and consumer outreach and visited Chris Eck's family farm in Boggstown. The visits demonstrated how ethanol production supports farming communities, delivers economic and environmental benefits and succeeds through collaboration between the agricultural and energy sectors.

"The mission builds on the Council's ongoing engagements across Central America and the Caribbean, reinforcing the Council's commitment to supporting ethanol blending programs in the region," Salcedo said.

"Continued public-private collaboration will expand opportunities for U.S. ethanol exports and help develop a more diversified and sustainable transportation fuel market in Central America."

Learn more about the Council's work in Guatemala on the organization's website.