WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Colombia’s feed imports are likely to continue to expand significantly faster than historical trends have suggested, according to a new U.S. Grains Council (USGC) report on market development opportunities there.

The findings in the report, Outlook Colombia 2030, were released April 14 to the country's top feed, poultry and livestock industry executives in conjunction with a USGC mission examining growth opportunities for U.S. coarse grains and co-products to Colombia and Peru.

Other key conclusions of the report included:

-There is a bullish potential for expanding U.S. feed grain exports to Colombia, with corn exports projected to reach 5.5 million tonnes in 2020 and 7.8 million tonnes in 2030.

-Colombia’s livestock sector is expected to increase output by more than 50% by 2030 from 2014 levels.

-The country’s lagging crop production performance is projected to continue, which will force Colombia’s livestock producers to depend on feed imports to support their expected expansion.

The report was shared at a conference in Bogota that was attended by executives of the Colombia feed and livestock industries and other U.S. organizations such as U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Colombia and the U.S. Meat Export Federation. USGC staff from the Western Hemisphere and Washington D.C., U.S. offices were also in attendance.

“We are committed to the Colombian market and successful growth in its livestock and feed sectors,” said Tom Sleight, USGC president and chief executive officer, who traveled as part of the USGC mission. “Colombia is an excellent example of strong trade policy and market development working together. This report confirms how important this market is to U.S. farmers and the U.S. grains industry."

Building on this information, the mission met with FEDEGAN, the national federation of livestock farmers in Colombia, and U.S. Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker to discuss ways the council can partner and work in Colombia to build demand.

“Our meetings in Colombia were focused on building alliances that are necessary to addressing trade barriers, improving production efficiencies, building capacity for U.S. coarse grain exports and advancing food security in Colombia,” Sleight said.

The mission later traveled to Peru, meeting with the USDA FAS's staff in Lima, the U.S. Ambassador to Peru, and strategic partners in the livestock, dairy and poultry sectors Peru to continue the demand-building dialogue.

“Our meetings in Peru focused on the free trade agreement between the United States and Peru, which has opened up new opportunities for both market development and sales there,” Sleight said. “The current level of interest that Peruvian buyers and end-users have in U.S. corn is a powerful tool that we are using to engage the poultry industry.”