New Market Opportunity Created in Senegal

Using Market Access Program (MAP) and Section 108 funding, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC)
has expanded its market engagement into West Africa, resulting in the first sales of U.S.
distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to Senegal.

Working in coordination with U.S. exporters, the Council facilitated the sale of 650 metric tons of
DDGS valued at $500,000 after a range of market development activities. The hope is that
Senegal will eventually grow to be a consistent and large buyer of U.S. corn and corn coproducts
in the future and that this sale will be the first of many to other countries in West Africa.

The Council expanded its engagement into West Africa two years ago with a combination of
Section 108 and MAP funding. West Africa has long been viewed as an important emerging
market for U.S. feed grains, but the Council previously lacked the financial capacity to engage in
this region. However, MAP and Section 108 funds allowed the Council to conduct a series of
training programs on improving compound feed production and poultry production. The
programs included a combination of technical, in-classroom instruction as well as practical,
hands-on training for Senegalese participants.

In January 2022, the Council used MAP funds to host a team of West African agribusiness
leaders to attend the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia.
During IPPE, the team had the opportunity to meet with producers, suppliers, and exporters of
U.S. grains and to participate in educational seminars and workshops. Following IPPE, the team
traveled east to visit the Port of Savannah, increasing the team’s awareness of U.S. corn coproduct
transportation through U.S. containerized export channels.

The Council invested $26,000 of MAP funds and $22,000 of Section 108 funds to implement the
two programs. The resulting $500,000 worth of business conducted yielded a direct return on
investment of nearly $10 for every $1 of total funds committed.