US DDGS Quality Impresses Major Korean Feed Millers
US - A team of grains industry professionals traveled from Korea to the United States on a mission to visit suppliers of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a co-product of US ethanol production.
21 September 2009
3 minute read
The US Grains Council-sponsored the team to view DDGS production, from corn stalk through ethanol production. The team got an in-depth view of the US feed grains industry, the quality control mechanisms in place and the supply and demand situation for US DDGS.
Team member Dr. Byung Woo Yoo, Cargill Agri Purina Inc. vice president, said, "We appreciate the work of the US Grains Council and its members. We are grateful for the opportunity to visit the members’ facilities." According to Byong Ryol Min, USGC director in Korea, who was traveling with the group said, "The team members were very impressed with the quality of DDGS produced in the United States."
Mr Min said the members of the team were specifically selected leaders of some of the largest importers and end-users of DDGS in Korea. During the 2008 calendar year, Korea imported around 317,000 metric tons of DDGS. In 2009, Korea imported a total of 144,000 tons through the end of July.
The Taeyoung Industry Corporation in Korea has worked with the Council since the introduction of DDGS in the country, promoting its inclusion in feed rations in the livestock sector. According to Mr Min, the company has played a role in expanding the market for DDGS in Korea. Eung Ho Lee, team member and executive director of the agro-products business unit at Taeyoung said, "It is good to gain an understanding of the logistics involving production and storage of DDGS in the United States. We can see the quality controls in place. This will help in expanding the market."
Mr Lee estimates Taeyoung imports approximately 50,000 to 70,000 tons of US DDGS annually, and looks to increase that quantity. With the team members’ influence, Mr Min is optimistic DDGS imports will continue to grow. "I think Korea has a strong US DDGS market," said Mr Min.
This team was made possible by the support from Council members Eurofins Scientific Inc.; Consolidated Grain and Barge Co.; CME Group; Illinois Corn Marketing Board; Brea Commodities; AgMotion Inc.; The Scoular Company; CHS Inc.; Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council; Trans Coastal Supply Inc.; and North Star Rail International LLC.
