The Chinese government is expected to greenlight imports of Distillers Dried Grains (DDG), a byproduct of corn-based ethanol production, from Brazil in 2025, according to Paulo Bertolini, president of the Brazilian Corn and Sorghum Association (Abramilho).
This announcement comes after China opened its market to Brazilian sorghum, signaling a strengthening trade relationship in agricultural commodities.
“We were part of the delegation negotiating these matters and are confident that DDG will also be approved soon,” Bertolini said in a video statement.
Growing Corn-Based Ethanol Industry to Create Surplus
Bertolini noted that the increasing use of corn for ethanol production in Brazil will generate a surplus of DDG, which is primarily used as animal feed.
“While the approval hasn’t happened yet, it’s only a matter of time. We are very pleased with the announcements from the Ministry of Agriculture,” he added.
China’s Strategic Use of Sorghum
The recent acceptance of Brazilian sorghum highlights its dual utility in China: as a key ingredient in animal feed and as a base for producing baijiu, a widely consumed traditional alcoholic beverage.
The anticipated approval of DDG imports will further expand the agricultural trade relationship between Brazil and China, providing an outlet for Brazil’s growing ethanol industry and strengthening China’s feedstock supply chain.
