World Trade Month: Corn’s Top Markets, Colombia

The export of corn and corn products is vital to the nation’s economy and NCGA has a deeply rooted policy of working to eliminate barriers to trade and supporting market development. Exports of U.S. corn and co-products provide critical support across the economy, offering billions of dollars in direct and indirect economic benefits to farmers, rural communities, and the nation.

This month, NCGA is celebrating World Trade Month by highlighting the top export markets for U.S. corn. Colombia is the third major buyer of U.S. corn, purchasing more than 4.7 million metric tons (MT) of corn during the September 1, 2018 – August 31, 2019 marketing year. Colombia is also the number seven buyer of U.S. ethanol and purchased more than 64 million gallons during the same marketing year.

Since the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement went into effect in 2012, exports of U.S. grains in all forms have increased more than 11-fold. Recently, the Colombian government-imposed non-tariff trade barriers that reduce U.S. ethanol opportunities and initiated a countervailing duties case that could block U.S. exports. The U.S. ethanol industry remains committed to their Colombian partners and will continue to advocate for this important trading relationship.

You can learn more about our international trade and our trading relationship with Colombia by visiting NCGA’s partners, the U.S. Grains Council.