The Panama Canal and the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration to support the global trade of U.S. agricultural products. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to improving the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of grain shipments moving through one of the world’s most strategic trade routes.
Under the terms of the memorandum, both organizations will work together on joint market initiatives, including economic analysis and the exchange of trade and logistics data. Through this cooperation, the partnership is expected to help meet rising international demand for U.S. grains while also reinforcing the Panama Canal’s operational performance and value to global commerce.
Panama Canal Administrator Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales said the agreement reflects the long-standing relationship between Panama and the United States, built on more than a century of cooperation, mutual respect, and shared strategic and economic interests. He also emphasized that the partnership reinforces the Canal’s role as a strategic ally in promoting sustainable trade and supporting access to U.S. agricultural exports.
USGBC President Ryan LeGrand highlighted the importance of the Panama Canal to the U.S. agricultural sector, describing the waterway as essential to the organization’s mission and to the global movement of grain and bioproducts. He noted that the Canal has long played a vital role in international commerce and remains a crucial link for U.S. exports.
The signing ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera, who served as an honorary witness and underscored the Canal’s strategic significance for both bilateral and global trade. According to the Panama Canal Authority, grain traffic accounted for approximately 25.1 million metric tons in fiscal year 2025, making it one of the Canal’s principal cargo segments alongside containers and energy products.
The agreement further highlights the Panama Canal’s role as a key gateway for global agricultural trade and reinforces its continued importance in supporting efficient cargo flows between international markets.
