As Nigeria’s feed industry eyes a 1.5-million-ton expansion, U.S. grain exporters are stepping in to secure long-term demand. Recent technical missions focused on helping local formulators integrate U.S. corn co-products and sorghum into poultry and aquaculture diets.

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) has delivered technical training to major feed manufacturers in Nigeria to accelerate the commercial adoption of U.S. corn, sorghum, and co-products. The initiative targets West Africa's expanding livestock sector, where commercial feed production is projected to grow by 1 to 1.5 million metric tons in the medium term.

During site visits and practical formulation workshops, Council experts demonstrated least-cost formulation techniques incorporating corn gluten meal (CGM) and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) into poultry and aquaculture rations. To broaden market access, preparations are also underway for a 2027 feeding trial evaluating U.S. sorghum performance under local conditions, alongside exploratory technical discussions with the domestic brewing industry.

“Using formulation software and locally available ingredient prices, the sessions demonstrated the nutritional and potential economic value of U.S. corn co-products while addressing the specific needs of individual feed operations,” said Mohamed Salah Bouthour, USGBC deputy regional director for Africa. By combining practical technical assistance with trade linkings, the strategy aims to establish U.S. growers as preferred suppliers for West Africa’s growing feed demand.

Nigeria represents one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest potential growth markets for compound feed, driven by rising domestic demand for poultry meat, eggs, and farmed fish.