The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has recently concluded a series of strategic meetings and site visits with key customers in Saudi Arabia's animal feed production and industrial starch sectors. The initiative, led by the Council's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) office, aimed to deepen understanding of customer experiences and challenges related to U.S. corn and corn co-products.
Ana Maria Ballesteros, USGC deputy regional director for Europe and the Middle East, emphasized the potential for U.S. feed grains in supporting Saudi Arabia's growth, citing superior qualities such as favorable feed conversion ratios and higher starch extractability.
The program included visits to feed millers primarily serving poultry and bovine operations. Discussions focused on industry challenges, market outlook, and technical aspects such as optimal grain storage in Saudi Arabia's climate. The Council also addressed how U.S. corn can help customers maximize output.
Saudi Arabia currently stands as the largest U.S. corn export market in the Middle East, importing over 900,000 metric tons. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 project, which aims for self-sufficiency in various sectors, presents significant growth potential for U.S. corn exports.
Key growth areas identified include the dairy and poultry markets, which are transitioning from barley to corn in feed rations. The Council also noted potential in the emerging aquaculture sector.
Ballesteros highlighted the ongoing importance of corn and its co-products in Saudi Arabia's push for self-sufficiency in domestic production of broilers, layers, and other industries. The USGC's efforts to educate customers on best practices for using corn and distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are expected to facilitate growth for end-users and strengthen relationships beneficial to U.S. producers and exporters.
This engagement by the USGC underscores the strategic importance of the Saudi Arabian market for U.S. grain exports and sets the stage for potentially increased trade relations in the coming years.
