Patricia Esqueda and Javier Chavez, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) marketing specialists in Mexico, visited Sinaloa (Los Mochis) and Sonora in July to evaluate the market potential of regular and high-protein (HiPro) distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in the aquaculture industry. The pair focused mainly on shrimp production while there, which is the most developed aquaculture activity in the areas.
Shrimp farms were easily seen from above, before landing in Los Mochis.
While in Los Mochis, Esqueda and Chavez met with representatives from the Ahome Aquaculture Producers Association, made up of 16 members, only one of which is integrated and produces its own feed. The others buy commercial feed from companies that provide technical support to producers, adding specific ingredients to aqua diets upon request by the customer. In her presentation, Esqueda explained the advantages of using DDGS, specifically HiPro DDGS, compared to soybean meal.
The following day, Esqueda and Chavez visited Group Acuícola Mexicano (GAM), the largest shrimp producer and processor in Los Mochis. GAM produces 25,000 metric tons (MT) of shrimp per cycle and usually has two cycles per year.
While meeting with GAM, Esqueda explained the advantages of using HiPro DDGS compared to fish meal. Fish meal is not as readily available, can be expensive and is not always sustainable.
To conclude the trip, Esqueda and Chavez visited Ary Agroindustrial where they met Alejandra Escudero, the procurement manager. Esqueda spoke with Escudero about the use of DDGS and HiPro DDGS in shrimp production, emphasizing the importance of considering amino acid digestibility in protein ingredients.
See more about the Council’s work in Mexico.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.