July 22, 2005

US seeks prospective grain export destinations in North Africa

The US Grains Council has found great potential for the country's grain export growth in North Africa, following a recent team visit to Morocco and Egypt. 

Livestock operations, feedlots, feed mills and grain inspection facilities were inspected to assess export opportunities for US corn, sorghum and barley to Morocco and Egypt.

The team also learned about increased demand for corn co-products, such as corn gluten meal and corn gluten feed, in Egypt and Morocco.

In Morocco, the team toured the first beef feedlot to open in the country with the support of the US Grains Council.

The feedlot had already exceeded the goal for number of on-site cattle and team feedback indicated that other countries were expected to follow the Moroccan example, leading to increased demand for US feed grains. 

In Egypt, the team was impressed by the potential for increasing herd size and an expected rise in the need for quality feed.

Over the past year, Egypt and Morocco imported 2.768 million tonnes and 685,000 tonnes of US corn respectively.