India may currently have a ban on the import of corn from the United States, but the Asian country is still considered a market with a lot of potential for dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) from the United States.
During a stop on the Kansas Corn Listening Tour on August 28 in Abilene, Kansas, corn producers were told of trade opportunities that could boost the industry.
Stacy Mayo-Martinez, director of industry relations for Kansas Corn, explained that Kansas Corn is a partner with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), which has been working hard in developing relations with India. Presently, India has a ban on U.S. corn because of religious reasons and an aversion to genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
But Mayo-Martinez said the potential for the export of DDGS from the United States to India is strong.
“They have actually been making a lot of progress on bringing in U.S. distillers grains as a feed additive, versus as a grain choice,” she said.
India is an important market for U.S. DDGS, Mayo-Martinez said.
“Why? Because Indians are making more money. When they make more money, the first thing they do is buy better meat,” she said.
Stacy Mayo-Martinez is the director of industry relations for Kansas Corn. (Roy Graber)
Mayo-Martinez said the second thing those who gain more wealth typically purchase is automobiles, which also presents opportunities for corn farmers through the possibility of more U.S. ethanol exports.
Terry Vinduska, District 5 Commissioner for Kansas Corn, added that India is importing more DDGS now, “and that market is going to grow exponentially.”
Vinduska, who farms in Marion County in central Kansas, is also a former chairman of USGC. He told those attending the session the partnership between Kansas Corn and USGC is a good example of Corn Checkoff dollars being put to use in a productive way.
