Remarks made by National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Chip Bowling at the U.S. Grains Council’s 13th International Marketing Conference this week emphasized the importance of trade to corn growers.

“We have set an ambitious goal of building demand in the years ahead, and it’s a goal we cannot meet without looking outside our nation’s borders,” Bowling said. “Exports or corn and corn products will play a critical role in increasing competitive market demand, and we’re working with the U.S. Grains Council and other partners – as one team – to sustainably meet growing needs for food and fuel worldwide.”

Bowling’s presentation focused on the recent growth in ethanol exports, noting the work of the US Grains Council and its partners, Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. NCGA’s newest plan intends to work with the Grains Council and other value chain stakeholders to increase exports of corn and corn products by 25 percent by 2020.

Bowling also stressed the need to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), stating his belief that the TPP will set a precedent for future trade agreements, including the Trans-Atlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP).

“We are very pleased with how our relationship with the U.S. Grains Council has evolved and grown over the years,” Bowling said. “Now that we are sharing offices in our nation’s capital, the opportunities for collegiality and collaboration have only strengthened.”