ICYMI: Export Exchange 2026 Kicks Off In Seattle

More than 500 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and their co-products from more than 50 countries are arriving in Seattle, Wash., this week for Export Exchange 2026, ready to meet with nearly 300 U.S. suppliers and service providers across the value chain.

Co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Export Exchange 2026 offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to meet and build relationships with domestic suppliers of corn, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), sorghum, barley and other commodities.

"U.S. farmers and agricultural producers depend on export markets to maintain strong demand for their products, making each iteration of Export Exchange a crucially important event for the industry at-large," said Jay Reiners, USGBC chairman.

"The Council strives to be a reliable partner for producers and customers by offering trade teams for buyer groups and by providing technical education to help potential buyers better understand how to procure and use U.S. grains to meet the needs of their country's consumers."

In addition to the networking opportunities for international and domestic attendees to build their business connections, the event boasts six general sessions with impactful industry leaders sharing their perspectives on U.S. feed grain quality and global market factors.

On Friday, Reiners will also sign 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). The MOU will signify BioPower Energy's intention to procure 50 to 100 percent of its feedstock needs from U.S. suppliers.

The Council organized 20 trade teams to show international buyers and end-users aspects of the U.S. value chain to strengthen their understanding of U.S. crop quality and logistical safety protocols. Thirteen trade teams arrived in the U.S. before Export Exchange and visited corn-growing states during harvest, explored DDGS production at ethanol plants and viewed port facilities. After the event, the remaining seven trade teams will leave for post-conference tours.

The conference runs through Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. More information, including registration details, is available at reg.eventmobi.com/export-exchange-2026 or on social media using the hashtag #ExEx26.