Things are looking up for U.S. corn exports to the Middle East and North Africa region.
“With U.S. corn priced competitively again, U.S. market share in the Middle East and North Africa region has potential to expand,” said Cary Sifferath, U.S. Grains Council regional director in the Middle East and Africa. “The region is already seeing an increase in U.S. corn imports.”
In Saudi Arabia, a second company, ARASCO, purchased U.S. corn paired with U.S. DDGS in the past month. Prior to this purchase, Al Maria, the largest dairy company in Saudi Arabia and major processor of diary and other food products for the Saudi and neighboring Gulf region countries, was the only steady Saudi customer of U.S. corn.
Moving east, for the first time in more than a year, Egypt has purchased U.S. corn. Approximately 200,000 metric tons (7.9 million bushels) is destined for delivery in February or March.
Ending in the east, the Council will escort three key members from the Moroccan feed industry throughout the United States next week.
“Consistent customer servicing in Morocco is needed to regain customer confidence in the reliability and quality of U.S. coarse grains,” Sifferath said. “Programs like this one will regain their confidence and create demand for U.S. corn.”
The United States is still seeing strong competition from Ukraine and other Black Sea countries especially in the eastern parts of the Mediterranean region.
“In October and November, Ukraine set record corn export numbers,” Sifferath said. “However, seeing some U.S. corn being purchased by major importers in the region besides our loyal customer, Al Maria, is a reason to be optimistic for 2014.”