Ethanol Blog

Exports of U.S.-produced dried distillers grains with solubles are on the rise, especially to Southeast Asia, according to an article by the U.S. Grains Council (http://bit.ly/…).

Increases in DDGS exports to Southeast Asia in the first half of 2013 totaled 605,000 metric tons, an increase of 9%. Sizeable increases in export to Thailand (up 53%) and Indonesia (up 42%) made up for slight declines in exports to Malaysia and the Philippines.

Adel Yusupov, U.S. Grains Council regional director in Southeast Asia, said that DDGS is a key product for the U.S. because it is a combination of quality protein and energy for poultry and swine.

"Southeast Asia's commercial feed production, currently at 60 million metric tons, is about one-third of China's and growing at 5 to 8% per year, driven by consumers' preference for higher value calories," Yusupov said. "We are working to tap into these markets and build demand for DDGS across all animal sectors."

Shipments of DDGS from the U.S. have grown, in spite of the discovery of insects in a container shipment to Vietnam last year. The Council led a rapid response effort and negotiated a mutually satisfactory agreement for inspections and fumigation that lead to trade resuming.

Cheryl Anderson can be reached at Cheryl.anderson@telventdtn.com.

(ES/)

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