China authorizes Brazilian facilities to export DDGs and sorghum

China has approved the first Brazilian facilities for exporting DDG (distillers dried grains, a by-product of corn ethanol), DDGS (with solubles), and sorghum to the Asian country, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.

Five corn-ethanol exporting companies and ten sorghum units have been approved. With China’s authorization, Brazil may begin exporting to the newly opened markets. “The authorization strengthens the commercial relationship with the main partner of Brazilian agribusiness and opens new opportunities for the sorghum sector and the corn-ethanol industry,” the ministry said in the statement.

The phytosanitary protocol for sorghum exports was signed between the countries in November 2024, while the protocol for proteins and grains derived from the corn-ethanol industry was agreed upon in May of this year. For sorghum exports, China approved four units in Mato Grosso, four in Minas Gerais, one in Rondônia, and one in Bahia.

China accounts for more than 80% of global sorghum imports, which totaled more than USD 2.6 billion last year, the ministry highlighted. Brazil produced more than 4 million tonnes last year, exporting 178.4 thousand tonnes, equivalent to 4% of the total. For DDG exports, a co-product of corn processing for ethanol, China authorized shipments from four units in Mato Grosso and one plant in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Brazil exported around 791 thousand tonnes of the input last year, while China imported more than USD 66 million of the product. “With the approvals, Brazil now has a regular shipment channel to the world’s largest importer of grains and feed inputs, increasing contract predictability and creating room for higher export volumes in upcoming harvests,” the ministry said.

The ministry also noted that China remains the main destination for Brazilian agribusiness exports, with agricultural shipments totaling USD 49.6 billion in 2024. “Beyond the economic impact, the approvals reinforce Brazil’s sustainability agenda. Exporting agribusiness co-products such as DDG promotes the circular economy by transforming industrial residues into inputs valued by the global industry,” the ministry added.

Source: UOL

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