Market Matters Blog

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- The DTN spot price for domestic distillers dried grains (DDG) from 33 locations reporting for the week ended Dec. 31 was $164 per ton on average, unchanged versus two weeks ago. It was a quiet week again given the New Year's Day holiday and following the shortened week prior due to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

DDG prices were mixed but steady on average again for the week, even with the cash corn price slightly lower, while soybean meal prices were also lower, down $2.90 versus two weeks ago. As for cash corn, the DTN National Average Corn Index was down 2 cents versus two weeks ago.

Based on the average of prices collected by DTN, the value of DDG relative to corn for the week ended Dec 31 was 1.043%. The value of DDG relative to soybean meal was 54.78% and the cost per unit of protein for DDG was $6.07 compared to the cost per unit of protein for soybean meal at $6.30.

The Energy Information Administration reported for the week ended Dec. 26, overall ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.12 million barrels per day (bpd), up 25,000 bpd versus last week and 13,000 bpd, or 1.2%, higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.119 million bpd was 26,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year. Midwest ethanol production averaged 1.063 million bpd, up 25,000 bpd versus last week and 18,000 bpd, or 1.7%, higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.062 million bpd was 31,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year.

Note: All prices subject to change/confirmation.

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

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