FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             

July 1, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC – The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) today hailed the entrance into force of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), marking the beginning of a historic new chapter for international trade and American agriculture.  

“With exports accounting for roughly 20% of American agricultural production, USMCA will be critical to the future of American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. It has been a long road to get to this point today, but one what is well worth it and we applaud President Trump and the bipartisan leadership support in Congress for getting the new agreement in place.,” said CRA President and CEO John Bode. 

As a member of both the USMCA Coalition and Farmers for Free Trade, CRA played a leading role in building grassroots support for this important trade agreement. CRA is pleased the USMCA will secure existing market opportunities, provide enhanced market access for dairy, poultry and eggs; establish modern, science-based sanitary and phytosanitary standards that are the gold standard for future trade agreements; and simplify customs procedures.

U.S. corn refiners export over $2 billion in goods annually, adding $4.7 billion to the overall economy. With 15 percent of all U.S. refined corn products exported annually, and Mexico and Canada representing the two largest markets for refined corn products totaling more than $900 million in yearly exports, international trade is vital to the success of CRA members.

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.