A 25,000 metric ton vessel carrying 15,000 tons of U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and 10,000 tons of U.S. corn gluten feed (CGF) arrived in Spain this week, closely following a U.S. Grains Council seminar held in May. The Council conducted DDGS and CGF promotional programs in selected European Union (EU) markets, including Spain and Ireland. The seminars brought together U.S. exporters with local major feed and livestock companies and key feed ingredient importers. Immediately following the meeting, Spanish importers requested prices from U.S. suppliers for bulk shipments of U.S. DDGS and CGF.

“Despite all the negative economic news coming out of Spain and the uncertainty of the Euro, the Council’s program in Spain brought some major interest from the Spanish feed industry,� said Cary Sifferath, USGC senior director in the Mediterranean and Africa. “Questions and discussions since the meeting have been flying at high speed.�

The vessel unloaded a portion at a port in Spain and will unload the rest at a second port starting today.

“Increasing prices for soybean meal and rapeseed meal this past week generated more interest in DDGS by the Spanish feed industry. We hope to confirm additional sales next week,� said Sifferath.

Council sources indicate a potential for additional vessels to arrive this summer and early fall.