Council Amplifies U.S. Corn, Sorghum In Spain

Earlier this month, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Deputy Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East Ana Ballesteros travelled to Madrid and Barcelona to gain insights into further growth opportunities for U.S. sorghum, corn and corn co-products in Spain.

“U.S. agricultural exports to the European Union have skyrocketed over the past year, and by engaging with key players in mature markets like Spain, the Council is showing its commitment to continuing to provide top-level trade servicing to the customers that contribute to U.S. farmers’ bottom lines,” Ballesteros said.

In Madrid, Ballesteros and USGC Consultant Loyola Toran met with a relevant player in the agricultural and feed sectors to assess the current and expected domestic feed grain production and import potential, helping the Council refine its marketing strategies in the area.

In Barcelona, Ballesteros visited Seafood Expo, the largest seafood event in the world, organized to help seafood producers and suppliers expand their businesses. With more than 35,000 industry professionals from more than 150 countries attending each year, the event offers some marketing opportunities for the use of U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn fermented proteins (CFP) in aquaculture feed.

The Barcelona Grains Exchange, an institution dating back to the 14th century, invited the Council to speak at its monthly membership meeting. The Exchange was interested in hearing updated information about U.S. feed grains and co-products as a follow-up to the large quantities of U.S. corn and DDGS exported to Spain during Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24.

Ballesteros took the opportunity to talk about sorghum’s potential in the European market. The presentation was attended by nearly 60 people, including the largest feed grains end-users and importers in the country.

“The importers and end-users were very interested in the possibility of additional imports of U.S. corn and DDGS and the potential opportunities for sorghum,” Ballesteros said. “Their invitation for the Council to speak at their meeting is a great indicator of their desire for high-quality, reliable feed grains that U.S. producers are ready to provide.”

Spain was the largest importer of feed grains and co-products in the European Union and the largest export destination for U.S. corn and DDGS in MY 2023/24, and so far in MY 2024/25, Spain is the fifth largest export destination for U.S. corn with 2.3 million metric tons (90,546,400 bushels) of sales recorded.

Its feed, poultry, pork and livestock industries are well developed and are expected to expand further in the coming years, meaning strengthening relationships with key relevant market players is a vital element to ensure that the market understands the value of U.S. feed grains and co-products.

“Spain has a significant domestic cereals production as well as easy access to other competing origins to supply the needed quantities to fill the gap between domestic production and demand,” Ballesteros said. “Acknowledging these facts is important to understanding the variability of its imports. However, being well-positioned and connected to relevant market players facilitates the market filling this gap with U.S. products.”

These on-the-ground efforts are crucial in ensuring continued market access for U.S. producers, ultimately driving value back to American farms and contributing to the long-term health of the U.S. grain industry.

Learn more about the Council’s work in Spain here.