Congressman Derek Schmidt has joined other lawmakers in encouraging United States Trade Ambassador, Jamieson Greer, to prioritize gaining improved market access for american agricultural exports – specifically U. S. ethanol, distillers’ dried grains with solubles, and soybean meal in India and, increase Kansas sorghum producers’ access to the Indian market.
India has surpassed China as the world’s most populous country. Growing access to the Indian market could provide a long-term counterweight to persistent trade tensions with China. India has publicly expressed its willingness to proceed in high-volume agricultural trade negotiations with the U.S., increasing demand for american farmers. The long-term demand opportunity for dried grain alone, could be two million metric tons per year, valued at $500 million, which would turn into the second largest export market. For ethanol, India is already our 3rd largest export destination at $393 million, however further reducing existing market barriers would allow for over $400 million of additional exports.
In 2024, Kansas exported more than $14 billion of goods across various industries. As of 2022, Kansas exports support an estimated 66,000 jobs in the state.
