Spain’s feed, poultry, pork and livestock industries are well developed and are expected to expand further in the coming years, the USGC said. So far in marketing year 2024-25, Spain is the fifth largest export destination for US corn with 2.3 million tonnes of sales recorded.
Earlier in May, Ana Ballesteros, USGC deputy regional director for Europe and the Middle East, traveled to Madrid and Barcelona to gain insights into further growth opportunities for US sorghum, corn and corn co-products in Spain while continuing to develop industry relationships for US exports.
In Madrid, Ballesteros and Loyola Toran, a USGC consultant, met with a relevant player in the agricultural and feed sectors to assess the current and expected domestic feed grain production and import potential, which the Council said helped refine its marketing strategies in the area.
In Barcelona, Ballesteros visited Seafood Expo, the largest seafood event in the world, organized to help seafood producers and suppliers expand their businesses. With more than 35,000 industry professionals from more than 150 countries attending each year, the event offers some marketing opportunities for the use of US DDGS and corn fermented proteins (CFP) in aquaculture feed.
Ballesteros also spoke at the Barcelona Grains Exchange, where members at the monthly meeting were interested in updated information about US feed grains and co-products after the United States exported large quantities of corn and DDGS to Spain in 2023-24.
Ballesteros’ presentation at the Exchange focused on sorghum’s potential in the European market and was attended by about 60 people, including the largest feed grains end-users and importers in the country, the USGC said.
“US agricultural exports to the European Union have skyrocketed over the past year, and by engaging with key players in mature markets like Spain, the Council is showing its commitment to continuing to provide top-level trade servicing to the customers that contribute to US farmers’ bottom lines,” Ballesteros said.
