Egypt begins exporting high-protein corn gluten meal to African countries

Egypt’s National Corn Products Company (NCMP), part of Cairo 3A Group, has made its first export shipments of corn gluten meal containing 60% protein to African markets. The shipments open a new sales channel for Egyptian feed ingredient producers and expand access to concentrated plant-based protein for animal feed manufacturers across Africa.

Corn gluten meal is a high-protein by-product of corn wet milling, a process in which starch is separated from other grain components. After drying, the resulting protein fraction is used in feed production for poultry and livestock. Unlike corn gluten feed, which has a significantly lower protein content, corn gluten meal typically contains around 60% crude protein or more.

Due to its high protein and energy concentration, corn gluten meal can be used in compound feed alongside other plant-based protein sources. The product contains methionine, an important amino acid in poultry nutrition, as well as natural pigments known as xanthophylls, which influence egg yolk and poultry skin coloration. However, its relatively low lysine and tryptophan content means it must be combined with other feed ingredients to ensure a balanced amino acid profile.

According to NCMP’s specifications, the export product contains at least 60% crude protein, with maximum moisture content of 12%, fat content of 5%, ash content of 2.5%, fiber content of 3%, and starch content of 7%. The product is supplied in 50 kg bags. Its use could help African compound feed manufacturers diversify their protein sources depending on raw material availability, costs and animal nutritional requirements.

The company has not disclosed the destination countries, the volume of the first export shipment or its value. As a result, the potential impact of this new trade flow on the regional feed ingredient market remains uncertain. For Cairo 3A Group, the launch of corn gluten meal exports is part of its strategy to expand its presence in international markets, while future prospects will depend on product competitiveness, logistics costs and stable demand from African feed manufacturers.

Tags: Egypt, corn, gluten