Saudi Arabia imports up to two million metric tons of corn per year, of which 39% is from the United States. Daniel Button of Almarai, based in Saudi Arabia, came to the United States recently to meet suppliers and purchase U.S. corn. Almarai is the largest integrated dairy foods company in the Middle East. While visiting Grace Harbor in Washington, Button tendered two shuttle trains of U.S. No. 1 corn and three shuttle trains of U.S. No. 2 corn.
Alvaro Cordero, USGC manager of international operations, accompanied Button on his visit. Cordero explained that while Saudi Arabian customers don't have a strong preference for any specific origin, they appreciate the United States' ability to provide a stable supply of corn. He said U.S. corn is more consistent, better for flaking and less expensive in the process.
Almarai recently bought a large poultry integrator and is planning to expand production up to three million birds per week. The company was established in Saudi Arabia in 1976 as a partnership. Company representatives soon recognized the potential to transform traditional methods of dairy farming to better serve the needs of the Saudi Arabian market.
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