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Expanding the ethanol market south of the border

Last week, a USDA-led group of ethanol industry leaders visited Mexico as both countries continue exploring opportunities to expand their respective renewable energy sectors.

The U.S. Grains Council was part of those discussions, and USGC’s director in Mexico Ryan LeGrand says the delegation left with many action-items to follow up on.

“The (Mexican) government regulators requested all the information we have with respect to higher ethanol blends into their fuel system.  We also agreed with the Department of Energy to set up a technical education workshop in the very near future.”

The Mexican government is going through reforms that include the privatization of all forms of energy for the first time since the 1930’s.

Despite the success of the recent trade mission, LeGrand says fuel blended with ethanol won’t be available in Mexico overnight.

“But, I could see in one to two years substantial amounts of ethanol coming into the country if they’re able to put the right policies in place here in Mexico.”