The U.S. Grains Council’s distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) Promotion Seminar in Lima, Peru attracted more than 80 representatives of the fast-growing Peruvian poultry sector.

“Participants are very excited about getting access to U.S. DDGS,� said Kurt Shultz, USGC regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “During our time there, two groups indicated they are considering importing additional DDGS before June.�

The seminar included a DDGS supply-demand outlook and a case study on Costa Rica’s successful adoption of DDGS. Given the turnout, the Council plans to follow up with additional seminars throughout Peru.

On the schedule this week is a seminar in Ecuador aimed at convincing livestock sector representatives to join Peru in importing DDGS.

Both Peru’s economy and poultry industry are growing. Last year, Gross Domestic Product for the nation increased by 8 percent, and analysts are projecting an annual growth rate of 6 percent for the next three years.

At the same time, poultry sector expansion produced a 20 percent jump in imports of U.S. corn from 1.5 million metric tons (59.1 million bushels) to 1.9 million tons (74.9 million bushels).

Peru has recently imported DDGS, a step that Shultz sees as doubly important.

“Having DDGS in the market as a product they can only get from the United States may also influence some of their purchasing decisions between U.S. and Argentine corn,� he says. “Right now the freight advantage is not there for our corn, so the Council is exploring all options to promote U.S.-origin feed ingredients.�