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

Continuing the successful four year effort by the U.S. Grains Council, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and Algerian partners to eliminate high taxes on corn and DDGS, USGC is working to ensure the future for U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten feed (CGF) in Algeria. Because the Algerian poultry industry favors “reddish” Argentine corn, the Council also organized a program to educate key Algerian feed companies about the benefits and uses of U.S. corn as well as DDGS.

As is the case with many business professionals, people enjoy learning methods of success in like organizations. The Council was able to bring together Algeria feed millers with the neighboring Morocco Feed Millers Association to hear firsthand experiences using DDGS and CGF. The Algerians were able to ask questions on use and procurement and discuss cost saving methods in their industry. They were surprised to learn of the immediate savings they could have by using DDGS. For example, Nutrimag could have a 20 percent saving cost should they start using DDGS. Groupe ONAB discovered they would have a significant savings, the equivalent of roughly $1.4 million for 30,000 metric tons of feed produced, if they used DDGS.

While there are still large premiums for U.S. corn and more education is needed on the benefits of DDGS and CGF, this program is an important strategic step for introducing U.S. corn co-products into Algeria. The Council is hopeful for the first sale of DDGS and CGF into Algeria in the future.