Last week, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) staff and members traveled to Japan to participate in the 2025 U.S. Bioethanol Supply Conference, meet Japanese industry stakeholders and visit key sites in the transportation and energy sectors.
“The Council is eager to build on Japan’s status as a reliable export partner for U.S. agriculture by continuing to grow demand for bioproducts in multiple sectors as the next frontier in the trade relationship,” said Alicia Koch, USGBC director of global ethanol export development.
“By leveraging existing market share and consumer loyalty to U.S. products along with engagement from Council members and other domestic industry leaders, the Council can help ensure U.S. bioproducts are at the forefront of the market in Japan.”
Koch was joined by representatives from Council members Cargill, Eco-Energy, Illinois Corn, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Marquis Energy, Nebraska Corn and Zeeland Farm Services to connect with policymakers and potential customers for U.S. bioproducts.
After a welcome from U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Aaron Snipe, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen addressed attendees about the role of bioproducts in the agricultural economy and the quality of U.S. ethanol.
Other U.S. participants had devoted time slots to present about their services and the U.S. industry’s ability to supply Japan’s need for biofuels in the present and future. Then, a selection of agribusiness representatives took the stage for a panel discussion relaying the decarbonization efforts of U.S. growers and bioproduct producers.
Koch closed the conference by reaffirming U.S. agriculture’s commitment to its Japanese customers, highlighting the rich history of trade between the countries and how biofuels can continue to support a fruitful relationship well into the future.
After the event, the Council’s delegation held business-to-business meetings with relevant importers and end-users in addition to tours of an oil terminal and a retail gas station selling fuel blended with 7% ethanol (E7).
“This first-of-its-kind event for ethanol at the Council emphasizes the readiness of certain markets to begin having serious conversations around procurement strategies and further market development,” Koch said.
“We are confident that Japan will meet its E10 target by 2030 and are fully committed to supporting its growth and decarbonization goals through an immediate, low-carbon solution.”
Learn more about the Council’s work in Japan here.