May 17, 2011

Egypt's purchases of US distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) rose to 21,879 tonnes in the first quarter of 2011, which represents a major increase over the 12,348 tonnes imported on-year, according to the US Grains Council (USGC).

Dr Hussein Soliman, USGC director in Egypt, believes imports could reach 350,000 tonnes by 2020.

This belief reflects the Council's success on several fronts, from introducing DDGS use to multiple animal sectors to encouraging more US grain and co-products suppliers to offer DDGS to their Egyptian customers.

As a result, DDGS imports have grown 42,901 tonnes in 2008, 79,415 tonnes in 2009, and 80,576 tonnes in 2010.

Egypt is currently the largest DDGS importing country in the Middle East with shipments both in containers and in bulk.

DDGS is now used in rations for poultry, dairy and beef cattle and aquaculture, whic is an emerging industry in Egypt. Council education efforts have been instrumental in increasing inclusion levels from 5% to as much as 8% in poultry, 3.5% to between 5% and 8% in aquaculture, and a 10% to 15% level to a 15% to 20% level in cattle.