US and Japan Reps In Tokyo To Discuss Export Of U.S. Ethanol

Representatives of Growth Energy, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) traveled to Tokyo this week to follow up on an industry market assessment of the potential to export U.S. ethanol to Japan.

Over the next two years, the government of Japan will be undertaking a full review of its national energy policies, including biofuels, potentially opening up opportunities for additional ethanol exports there.

“The team came away with a much greater understanding of the current Japanese requirements and market conditions pertaining to ethanol and began the implementation of a strategy to help ensure that U.S. ethanol receives fair market access under the future energy policy that will be adopted when the current policy expires in 2017,” said Jim Miller, chief economist and vice president of Growth Energy.

In addition to meeting with U.S. Grains Council staff located in Tokyo and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) officials, the team also met with Japanese officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and Japanese Diet member Arata Takebe.

Source:  US Grains Council