Brazil increases exports of distillers grains to New Zealand

Distillers’ dried grains (DDG), a by-product of ethanol production, are becoming an increasingly popular feed option among New Zealand dairy farmers. Currently, DDG represents about 5% of animal feed imports into the country.

Andrea Verissimo, the international affairs manager at the Brazilian Association of Corn Ethanol Producers, emphasized that Brazilian producers are committed to boosting corn production, particularly in the state of Mato Grosso. The forecast suggests that corn production in the state will double over the next decade. “We are keen to expand our export trade of DDG, recognizing its value as a feed component for New Zealand livestock, both cattle and sheep,” Verissimo said.

Ethanol Production Process

International journalists were invited by the association to closely observe the ethanol production process in Brazil. The visit covered everything from corn harvesting to the final refinement and processing of by-products, providing a comprehensive view of the entire production chain.

Mato Grosso stands out as Brazil’s third-largest and most productive agricultural state, leading in the production of cattle, corn, cotton, and soybeans. The region, with an area four times the size of New Zealand, has a population equivalent to half that of New Zealand.

National Focus on Ethanol Production

The expansion of corn production aligns with Brazil’s national focus on increasing ethanol production. The country is already the world’s second-largest producer, trailing only the United States. “We have a long history of producing ethanol from sugarcane, but the corn ethanol industry is relatively new, only starting in 2017,” Verissimo explained.

Source: O Petroleo

Click here to access the original news report: https://opetroleo.com.br/brasil-aumenta-exportacao-de-graos-de-destilaria-para-a-nova-zelandia/

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