North Dakota recently completed an ethanol trade mission to Brazil. Brazil was the No. 1 importer of U.S. ethanol in 2018. The trade mission occurred as Brazilian authorities debated lifting ethanol trade barriers. Brazil has a 20% tariff on imported ethanol in excess of a 158 million annual quota.

"The Brazilian market is quite promising, especially if the 20% duty is eliminated, says Doug Goehring, North Dakota ag commissioner, who led the mission.

North Dakota delegates traveled to both São Paulo and Recife, where they attended briefings on Brazil's ethanol market and met with ethanol importers and distributors.

"It was a valuable trip for North Dakota's ethanol industry," says Deana Wiese, North Dakota Ethanol Council executive director. "With the significant increases in demand predicted in Brazil over the next decade, we're optimistic that our companies will be able to help fulfill that need."

Lindsay Warner, North Dakota Trade Office director of marketing and events, predicts future visits to North Dakota from Brazilian ethanol companies. 

"We know of one Brazilian ethanol company that's already planning to visit the area and meet with North Dakota ethanol producers," Warner says. "We see the most success for our members and exporters when we follow up a trade mission with an invitation to potential buyers to visit the region and tour the facilities. In this way, we're able to foster those relationships, and companies on both sides do business with people they trust."  

The trade mission delegates included personnel from Midwest Ag Energy, Red Trail Energy, the North Dakota Ethanol Council and North Dakota State University.

Source: North Dakota Trade Office, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.