U.S. corn powers Saudi feed market growth

U.S. Grains council promotes corn for Saudi Vision 2030 goals

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently held meetings in Saudi Arabia to promote U.S. corn and its co-products, highlighting their advantages for feed and industrial applications.

These discussions are part of an effort to address customer challenges and support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals for self-sufficiency in key agricultural sectors.

According to Ana Maria Ballesteros, USGC deputy regional director, “U.S. feed grains and co-products could be a good fit for supporting growth given U.S. corn’s qualities like more favorable feed conversion ratios (FCR), higher levels of starch extractability, and more optimal impacts on feed milling.”

Saudi Arabia, the largest U.S. corn importer in the Middle East, has purchased over 900,000 metric tons (MT). The nation is transitioning from barley to corn for dairy and poultry feed rations. This shift is essential to its strategy for achieving self-sufficiency in domestic production, particularly in poultry and aquaculture.

“Corn and its co-products will continue to be a necessary component as the country aims to become self-sufficient in domestic production of broilers, layers, and other industries,” Ballesteros added.

The Council also focused on educating Saudi buyers about proper grain storage and optimizing U.S. corn usage. This collaborative effort enhances market opportunities while supporting local industries’ growth.

USGC’s ongoing work strengthens relationships between U.S. producers and Saudi buyers, ensuring long-term benefits for both sides in a dynamic agricultural market.