Recently, Kurt Shultz, Senior Director of Global Strategies at the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), visited India to generate interest among end-users in purchasing U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a byproduct of ethanol production, which currently do not have market access in the country but could become a major source of demand for U.S. producers, according to the press release.
“The Indian livestock sector has faced consistent trouble sourcing quality DDGS, so stakeholders are eager to explore what international markets can offer them,” said Reece Cannady, USGBC regional director for South Asia.
“By establishing business connections and trust in U.S. DDGS’ quality, U.S. producers will be in pole position to supply users’ needs when the market opens internationally,” Cannady added.
Shultz was joined by Cannady and other staff from the Council’s New Delhi office, along with USGBC members including International Feed, The DeLong Company, POET, and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Together, they engaged with potential buyers and end-users in India.
The first two days of the trip were focused on business-to-business meetings in Pune and Chennai, where discussions revolved around the needs of agribusinesses in the global market and how the Council can facilitate the import process.
In Coimbatore, the delegation met with industry processors and end-users, including a hatchery and a feed mill, to observe current practices and feed formulas that could potentially be improved by incorporating U.S. DDGS in the future.
The roadshow concluded in Hyderabad, where the team visited several farms and held a meeting with the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers’ Association (CLFMA). The session focused on domestic feed production and the role U.S. grains could play in meeting future demand.
“The Council has been active in India for 40 years, and we are now at a point where we can expect to see business growth from the country,” said Shultz. “In some markets, it’s about playing the long game and establishing a presence before the competition. India is one of those markets, and we’re excited to soon see the fruits of 40 years of effort.”
