Ramy Taieb, the Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), visited Turkey to bolster support for aquaculture trials and engage with stakeholders in the growing sector. The visit aimed to understand Turkey’s increasing interest in aquaculture cultivation and the demand for corn-fermented protein and high-protein distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS).
Taieb’s trip included a stop in Aydin, Turkey, on Nov. 29, where he assessed the progress of an aquaculture feeding trial sponsored by the Council and its partners. This trial, the second of its kind at Aydin Adnan Menderes University, focuses on evaluating the nutritional benefits of incorporating U.S. corn co-products into the diets of seabass and seabream.
“Quality research and testing are vital to increasing consumer awareness of the benefits that new products and techniques can bring to the agricultural supply chain,” stated Taieb. He expressed anticipation that the study results would highlight the value of U.S. corn co-products as valuable additives to aquaculture diets, potentially creating more export opportunities to Turkey. The official presentation of the trial results is scheduled for the Barcelona Aqua Conference on April 23-25, 2024.
During the visit, Taieb also met with the dean of the university’s faculty of agriculture to explore further collaboration on aquaculture research and training programs in Turkey and the surrounding region.
The USGC has been actively introducing U.S. DDGS producers and exporters to the Turkish market, offering trials and educational opportunities for Turkish industry leaders. The efforts have yielded positive outcomes, with Turkey importing 673 metric tons of DDGS from January to September this year, 75 percent of which originated from the U.S.
On Nov. 30, Taieb participated in the Feed Grains, Fats, and Oils Conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Alongside USGC consultants in Turkey and Egypt and U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service staff, Taieb engaged with key players in the supply chain, including importers, traders, and major end-users of U.S. corn co-products. The discussions aimed to better understand their needs for the future.
Reflecting on the experience, Taieb stated, “It’s always a pleasure to attend these conferences and see so many of the Council’s partners and fellow industry stakeholders gathered for a common goal of developing markets, enabling trade, and improving lives.”
