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Tunisia imports first US DDGS
A report from the United States Grains Council (USGC), indicates Tunisia has placed its first order of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for use in feeding trials in the country's dairy herds. Past reluctance to use the grains gave way to the removal of a 20 percent import duty on DDGS in 2007, paving the way for this recent development.
February 4, 2008 By US Grains Council
Tunisia Imports First U.S. DDGS
Feb. 1, 2008
Tunisia has placed its first order of U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a co-product of ethanol production, this week as a result of on-going U.S. Grains Council promotional activities. Poulina S.A., Tunisia’s largest grain importer, ordered 4,700 metric tons of DDGS (approximate FOB value of $940,000) which is scheduled to arrive Feb. 20.
"This import can be attributed directly to the Council’s promotion and customer serving activities which have been ongoing for over two years," said Kurt Shultz, USGC director of Mediterranean and Africa.
Because of limited experience with grain co-products, the Tunisian feed industry has
been wary of DDGS, but Council-organized workshops have helped to alleviate their skepticism. In March 2006, the Council imported 48 tons of U.S. DDGS through the USDA’s Quality Samples Program. The DDGS was then used in dairy feeding trials to familiarize
Tunisian feed millers and customers with this new product. As a result of the successful feeding trials, the Tunisian government removed the 20 percent import duty on DDGS in January 2007, and the Council followed up with several DDGS promotion activities.
"We invited Tunisian users to participate in meetings with Moroccan feed millers and nutritionists who have been using DDGS," Shultz said. "And as a result of all our efforts Poulina S.A. was convinced to make its first purchase this week." Shultz said the Council will be monitoring and providing assistance to Poulina S.A. to ensure that it has a successful experience with DDGS.
