Overview
- India and the US announced a phase-one trade framework that includes a quota-based duty concession for US dried distillers’ grains, with signing targeted by mid-March.
- The DDGS quota is capped at 5 lakh tonnes, roughly 1% of India’s 50 million tonne annual animal-feed consumption, which the government frames as a low-risk opening.
- Officials say limited DDGS access will bolster feed availability, reduce cost volatility, and ease pressure on domestic corn and soybean markets to help contain food inflation.
- Commerce minister Piyush Goyal says animal husbandry and poultry producers have sought DDGS for its high-protein benefits.
- Regulatory work on GM-derived DDGS remains under review at GEAC as India maintains bans on GM maize and soybean but opens narrow import windows for red sorghum and DDGS.