Seven recent purchases of U.S. corn by Tunisia have driven the U.S. market share in the country up from 0 to 39 percent, according to the U.S. Grains Council. The purchases, which have taken place within the last three months, total 143,500 metric tons (5.6 million bushels) to date.

According to Cary Sifferath, USGC senior director in the Mediterranean and Africa, the purchases are the result of two things working in favor of the United States: the on-going communication between the Council’s staff in Tunis and major Tunisian feed grain importers; and more expensive corn from other sources.

“We’ve stayed in regular contact with feed grain importers by updating them on all the price movements in grain and freight and by making sure they keep U.S. corn in mind when making their buying decisions,” Sifferath said.

He also noted that Council programs that have included Tunisian importers have been influential as well. Programs such as buyer missions to the United States and trips to Morocco to study beef and dairy production expansion under Council programs there have kept U.S. corn on Tunisian importers’ radars.

“These trips have helped build relationships and open the door to the discussion of price and why buying U.S. corn on a regular basis is the best option,” he said.

The other factor contributing to the uptick in U.S. corn sales to Tunisia relates to developments taking place in the Black Sea region. Corn sourced from the Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Hungary has become more expensive than U.S. corn due to dry growing conditions in Black Sea countries.

Sifferath said this reality has also helped keep the door open for U.S. corn imports into other North African destinations.

Click here to read this week's Global Update.