In 2013, buyers from Saudi Arabia and Jordan imported more than 1,000 metric tons and 20,000 tons of U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) respectively. Both markets have much room for expansion in their use of U.S. DDGS in both the livestock and poultry sectors. To educate buyers and increase interest in U.S. corn co-products, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) escorted a team of major importers from these countries to the Midwest before holding its biennial Export Exchange so these key customers could see U.S. DDGS infrastructure firsthand.

“On both a professional and a personal level, I really appreciated the time the Council allocated for us during this trip,” said Jabr AlHarthi purchasing manager of the Almarai Co., the largest vertically integrated dairy company in the world, and member of the pre-Export Exchange tour. “I certainly learned a lot about the unique aspects of U.S. DDGS, corn and ethanol production.”

The team’s visits commenced in Madison, Wisconsin, where the group of foreign buyers accompanied by three USGC representatives toured an ethanol plant and visited two corn farmers in the region. The following day the group toured another U.S. ethanol plant as well as a modern U.S. dairy.

“In sight of the current record corn production projected this fall, these visits are crucial for promoting the abundant, high-quality supply the United States has to offer during the 2014/2015 marketing year,” said Manuel Sanchez USGC manager of global trade. “Export Exchange 2014 is about creating relationships with customers that will last a lifetime. These tours build those relationships as well.”

Click here to view more photos from this team.