Algeria lifts VAT on DDGS and corn gluten feed imports

In Algeria, the government has lifted a value-added tax (VAT) on U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten feed (CGF) for 2018, affording new opportunities this marketing year. For the last two years, the Algerian government has imposed regulations and made decisions to restrict imports in order to offset the persistent drop in international oil and gas prices. That included a 17 percent VAT on both U.S. DDGS and CGF. Combined with existing import duties of 30 percent, imports of these products were simply uncompetitive with other feed ingredients.

However, thanks to work by the US Grains Council and partners in country to push for a reduction in tariffs, the Algerian government released a list of feed ingredients benefiting from an exoneration of a value-added tax until Dec. 31, 2018. The list notably includes corn, barley, DDGS and CGF, a particular success in this economical context.