Krissek Joins USGC Staff at Grand Opening of India Office
In a country where the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has had a presence for decades, the organization held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony in India last week to mark the opening of its South Asia office there. The first new office for the organization since 2010, the expansion of a full-time office in this key growing ethanol market was made possible through extra grant funding from the Kansas Corn Commission. Kansas Corn CEO, Greg Krissek joined USGC staff and board members at the opening to celebrate the event.
“Kansas Corn has supported USGC efforts for exports around the world of corn in all forms for many years,” said Krissek. “Four years ago we agreed to partner on establishing a U.S. Grains office in India, which in 2023 will become the most populous nation in the world. In the same time period, India has become a top five importer of US ethanol. While still a complicated market to penetrate, having USGC staff on the ground in India will provide US farmers the best opportunity to enter the market when India’s needs come to the forefront-as they most certainly will in the coming years.”
India is already a top customer of U.S. ethanol for industrial use, said Cary Sifferath, USGC Vice President. The potential for more ethanol and feed grains demand is prevelant. After more than 25 years of engagement in India, having their own office in New Delhi provides a full-time presence and staff on the ground working on contraints to open the market is key for future development.
Over the years, the Council has worked in the India market with the local livestock feed industry before shifting its efforts to primarily advocating for ethanol imports. To grow this demand for ethanol and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), the Council began the process of opening its newest office in 2018, and staff officially moved into it in July 2022.
In addition to the grand opening ceremony, the Council’s India office took part in the India Auto Expo that ran from Jan. 12-18. The Council used this event as a time to highlight its efforts in ethanol promotion and the benefits biofuels can bring to the country within the automotive industry.
The Council has formed important relationships with champions for fuel ethanol in the country over the past few years, including the Society of Indian Automobile Association (SIAM). Last week, the Council solidified that partnership. The organizations came together at the expo to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) through which SIAM has agreed to support the Council’s efforts to promote higher ethanol blending in India.
“The Council has always sought to build relationships that are mutually beneficial, and we are delighted to be partnering with the leaders of the automotive sector, especially as they are the ones leading the Indian ethanol program,” said Alejandra Danielson-Castillo, USGC director in India. “It was incredible to see such a ferocious support for this industry and to have been invited to be participants and sponsors. As we look to the years ahead, the Council is convinced that the work begun with this MOU will expand to highlight the many benefits that ethanol can bring to India’s economy.”