WASHINGTON — Korea’s imports of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) have more than tripled during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.
During the first half of 2008, Korea imported 281,900 metric tons of DDGS, representing a 259 percent increase over the 75,500 tons imported during the same period in 2007.
Of that amount, more than 64 percent of the total, or 181,800 tons, came from the United States, compared with 60 percent or 47,100 tons during the same period last year.
Didn’t just happen
The significant growth of DDGS imports to Korea is a direct result of promotional activities undertaken by the U.S. Grains Council in-country.
“We began promoting DDGS in Korea in 2003 even though it was not part of our regular program at the time,” said Byong Ryol Min, council director in Korea.
In 2004, the council invited Jerry Shurson, a professor of animal science at the University of Minnesota, to lead a seminar on the nutritional value of DDGS, and several other consultants have held workshops in Korea since then.
“We are now using local consultants to provide one-on-one consultations with feed and livestock end-users,” Min said.
The council’s office in Korea also translated copies of its DDGS User Handbook, which is distributed to industry representatives.
Feeding trials
In 2005-06, feeding trials for broiler, layer and swine were held with great success, and Korea is now preparing to conduct its first DDGS feeding demonstration for dairy cows in September.
Last year the country imported approximately 130,700 tons of DDGS. Min estimated Korea will import more than 450,000 tons this year.
