Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 29, A delegation from the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) visited Saudi Arabia to promote American corn, sorghum, and co-products such as Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) and Corn-Fermented Protein (CFP) in the country’s expanding feed market. The delegation held a series of meetings with major poultry and dairy producers in Dammam, Riyadh, and Jeddah to discuss opportunities for cooperation and supply chain efficiency.

During site visits to grain warehouses and feed mills, participants observed key operational challenges related to Saudi Arabia’s extreme heat and humidity. These climatic factors often result in grain shrinkage and spoilage during storage and handling. To address these issues, local companies such as ARASCO are investing in modern port storage facilities and advanced handling systems, although climate-related pressures remain a significant concern for the sector.

At a conference held in Riyadh, U.S. agricultural experts presented technical sessions on grain management, emphasizing best practices in storage and transportation under high-temperature conditions. They also introduced the benefits of DDGS and CFP in feed formulation, explaining how these co-products can lower feed costs while maintaining or improving livestock productivity and nutritional performance.

The experts highlighted that DDGS, a co-product of corn ethanol production, contains 18–30% protein and provides a cost-effective energy source for poultry, dairy, and beef operations. CFP, produced through microbial fermentation of corn, offers an even higher protein concentration of 50–60%, making it a valuable ingredient for poultry and swine diets.

Saudi Arabia’s poultry sector is approaching full self-sufficiency, and as production scales up, the demand for reliable and high-quality feed ingredients is expected to increase further. The U.S. delegation underscored the importance of stable trade partnerships to support this growth and ensure consistent access to feed inputs.

USGBC representatives noted that expanding cooperation in grain and co-product trade aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of enhancing food security and improving feed industry efficiency. They announced plans for additional technical workshops and trade events aimed at strengthening ties between U.S. exporters and Saudi importers, while promoting knowledge exchange on feed technology and sustainable production practices.

Overall, the visit reinforced growing commercial engagement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia in the agricultural sector. It also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize feed storage and handling systems to adapt to regional climatic challenges, supporting the continued growth and resilience of the country’s livestock industry.