ICMC participates in USDA-planned trade mission to Philippines in April  

By Dave Blower Jr. 

The Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) was among 58 U.S. agribusinesses and trade associations that participated in a USDA-led trade mission to Manila, Philippines, from April 13-16 to expand market access for American farmers, ranchers and producers. 

Representing ICMC on the mission were Tyler Everett, a farmer from Lebanon, Ind., and Ed Ebert, ICMC Senior Director for Market Development. This mission followed a trade agreement negotiated by the Trump Administration in July 2025. USDA said that trade deal opens new opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports to the Philippines. Michelle Bekkering, who is the Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, led the mission. 

“USDA is committed to getting American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses better access to strong markets and fair opportunities abroad,” Bekkering said. “Since the Philippines is one of the fastest-growing markets in Asia, this mission will connect U.S. exporters directly with reliable buyers, strengthen our trade relationship, and help keep American agriculture globally competitive.” 

The Philippines is the 10th-largest market for U.S. ag and food products, averaging $3.4 billion in annual exports during the past five years. The Philippines offers growth potential for U.S. exports due to a population of 118 million plus a rapidly expanding middle class. Bekkering added that consumers in the Philippines show a strong preference for U.S. products. ICMC’s representatives concurred. 

“I think there’s a lot of potential for the Philippines and Eastern and Southeastern Asia for exports as far as different animal variety meats and more wheat and ethanol exports,” Everett said. “They are at a higher blend of ethanol than we are in the United States. I think for them to be ahead of us in that market and to test out the longevity of ethanol and how it how it impacts a foreign market is a great thing for American consumers to see. Hopefully, in the future, we can adapt to their ethanol standards.” 

Expanding ethanol market 

Everett and Ebert participated in the grand opening of the first E20 station in the Manila area at Jetti Oil in Paranaque. U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC) staff and farmer directors also attended the event including USGBC Chairman Mark Wilson, a farmer from Illinois. E20 is a blend of 20 percent ethanol with 80 percent gasoline. More than 101 million gallons of U.S. ethanol were exported to the Philippines in 2025, which is 45 percent of the country’s demand. 

“U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council partners advanced E20 expansion, discussed sustainable aviation and marine fuel potential, and met with Philippine ethanol producers during this trade mission,” Ebert said. “The Philippines remains a strong market for U.S. ethanol. We participated in this grand opening and also toured the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation in Subic Bay, Philippines. This facility in Subic Bay is where all U.S. ethanol is unloaded for import to the Philippines.” 

In addition to expanded corn and soybean exports, Ebert and Everett also wanted to see Indiana-funded projects led by partners such as the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) in the Philippines. Expanded U.S. meat exports create more demand for corn and soybeans as a feed source for American-produced livestock. 

“We saw all types of variety meats offered while I was there,” Everett explained. “I tried several types of chicken and pork that were all brought in from the United States. We saw how differently they cook things and prepare food. They are increasing the use of imported American meats.” 

A first-hand experience 

Everett said seeing the projects that farmer-leaders choose to fund around the world is an important task. This way the evaluation of the effectiveness of these projects is easier to assess. 

“These trade missions benefit Indiana farmers with boots on the ground, meeting key people, seeing firsthand our checkoff dollars and the projects we support at work,” he said. “You could see the projects that we support through USMEF or USAPEEC firsthand in the freezers and the shelves of the markets and groceries over there. The more variety meats they use in the Philippines, like ham hocks for example, the more value can be found in that animal. The more valuable those animals are, the more corn and soybeans we’re going to sell as feed.” 

He advised farmers to take advantage of opportunities to participate in these trade missions. 

“I think a trade mission like this is something that every single American farmer would benefit from seeing firsthand,” Everett stated. “When you go on a trade mission, you come back thinking how lucky and blessed we are to farm in America. We should always feel thankful for what we have here at home.” 

In addition to ICMC, two Indiana-based food businesses, BNutty Peanut Butter of Portage, Ind., and Scout and Zoe’s of Anderson, Ind., participated in the trade mission. BNutty offers peanut butter in a variety of flavors in easy-to-transport, nine-ounce jars. Scout and Zoe’s producers pet treats in many different flavors for dogs and cats. 

In 2025, USDA trade missions connected more than 200 U.S. companies with buyers in Hong Kong, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan and Mexico, generating an estimated 12-month sales total of $125 million. USDA is hoping to expand export opportunities in this region this year with upcoming trade missions to Australia and Vietnam.