Who We Are

The North American Export Grain Association

The North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA), a not-for-profit trade association established in 1912, consists of private and publicly owned companies and farmer-owned cooperatives that are involved in and provide services to the agri-bulk products international trading industry. NAEGA members are exporters of and serve the vast majority of all U.S. grain and oilseeds in international markets. 

NAEGA’s mission is to promote and sustain the development of commercial export. Through a reliance on member action and support, NAEGA acts throughout the world to promote policies, rules and commercial practices that support international trade in grains, oilseeds, and their derived products. Providing for competitive, informed, robust, responsive, responsible, reliable, resilient, safe, and secure supply chains for agricultural commodities and food products is the core value of NAEGA.

Principles

The multitude of issues with which we deal continues to drive our intent to focus on what is best for our industry. To help reach our goals, we have articulated a NAEGA philosophy based on three principles that motivate most of our actions. These include:

  • Commercial solutions based on best practices and constant innovation are the most effective and preferable. 
  • Least trade distortive official measures are a critical component for achieving affordable, reliable and secure global food security and improved nutrition.
  • Our industry must be informed of and participate as appropriate in proceedings where relevant commercial and official practices, including policies and regulatory action, are negotiated or discussed.

Priorities

Our philosophy further results in policy priorities for the entire value chain we support that include:

  • Safe products and work environment as a mandate.
  • Integrity, accountability, resilience, and transparency.
  • Customer-driven market solutions.
  • Competitive and open markets.
  • Trade facilitative information exchange.
  • Rules and discipline to support global markets.
  • Risk proportionate and science-based regulation.

History

The North American Export Grain Association, Inc. (NAEGA) was chartered in 1912 and incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in the state of New York in 1920.  NAEGA’s first meeting was held in the building pictured to the right, the New York Produce Exchange, on December 20, 1912. A history of NAEGA, published in 2012 on the 100th Anniversary of the Association, is available through the link below.

Leadership & Staff

Recognition

Success Stories