By Cary Sifferath, U.S. Grains Council Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa

In September 2012, the U.S. Grains Council reported that after a three and a half year effort, Algeria removed the value added tax (VAT) and custom tax on all feed imports, including corn, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten feed (CGF) until December 2012. The VAT and custom tax for DDGS and CGF had previously been set at 17 percent and 30 percent, resulting in no U.S. DDGS or CGF exports to Algeria. Corn VAT and custom tax had previously been set at 7 percent and 5 percent.

USGC is pleased to learn the Algerian government has now extended the zero VAT and custom tax on all feed imports until August 2013. The Council will continue to work with the Algerian feed industry on the VAT and duty levels and is hopeful for the future of U.S. DDGS and CGF in the Algerian market.