Market Matters Blog

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- The DTN spot price for domestic distillers dried grains (DDG) from 33 locations reporting for the week ended Nov. 20 was $156 per ton on average, up $4 versus one week ago, with spot demand contributing to the higher price.

DDG prices were mixed but higher on average again for the week, even as soybean meal prices were down $10.80 versus one week ago and the cash corn price was lower as well. The DTN National Average Corn Index was down 13 cents versus one week ago.

Based on the average of prices collected by DTN, the value of DDG relative to corn for the week ended Nov. 20 was 1.024%. The value of DDG relative to soybean meal was 49.12% and the cost per unit of protein for DDG was $5.78 compared to the cost per unit of protein for soybean meal at $6.69.

U.S. Grains Council, in its weekly distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) export market prices report, showed December prices as of Nov.13: CIF NOLA barge price was steady at $210 metric ton (mt); FOB vessel Gulf price was up $5 at $235 mt; rail delivered PNW was up 15 at $255; and rail delivered to California was up $23 at $248 mt.

The U.S. Census Bureau released August data on U.S. DDGS exports noting a rise of 10% to 1.17 million metric tons (mmt), reporting multi-month highs across major destinations and record shipments to Colombia, Honduras, and New Zealand. The largest buyer, Mexico, increased purchases by 13% to 206,787 mt; South Korea was 8% lower to 145,014 mt; Vietnam increased 9% to 120,743 mt and Colombia purchases rose 9% to 101,207 mt, with these four markets together accounting for half of all exports. Other notable markets included Indonesia, New Zealand, and Canada. Year-to-date DDGS exports totaled 7.64 mmt, behind last year's pace by 4%. The U.S. Census Bureau will continue catching up from the government shutdown with September trade data set for release on Dec. 1, followed by October statistics on Dec. 4, returning the trade series to its normal schedule.

The Energy Information Administration reported for the week ended Nov. 14, overall ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.091 million barrels per day (bpd), up 16,000 bpd versus last week and 28,000 bpd, or 2.6% lower than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.097 million bpd was 15,000 bpd below the same four weeks last year. Midwest ethanol production averaged 1.033 million bpd, up 19,000 bpd versus last week and 15,000 bpd, or 1.5% lower than in the same week last year. The 4-week average output at 1.038 million bpd was 7,000 bpd below the same four weeks last year.

Happy Thanksgiving! There will be no DDG price report next week given the Thursday holiday and half-day markets on Friday.

Note: All prices subject to change/confirmation.

Mary Kennedy can be reached at mary.kennedy@dtn.com

Follow her on the social platform X @MaryCKenn

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