Market Matters Blog

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- The DTN price for domestic distillers dried grains (DDG) from 33 locations reporting for the week ended Jan. 18 was mixed but 1 cent higher on average at $195 per ton versus one week ago. DDG prices were slightly higher on average but cheaper soybean prices continue to add underlying pressure to DDG prices.

The Energy Information Administration on Thursday reported overall ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.054 million barrels per day (bpd) as of Jan. 12, down 8,000 bpd week-on-week and 46,000 bpd, or 4.4%, higher than in the same week last year. The four-week average output, at 1.068 million bpd, was 128,000 bpd above the same four weeks in 2022. Midwest ethanol production averaged 1.001 million bpd, down 5,000 bpd week-on-week and 43,000 bpd, or 4.3%, higher than in the same week last year. The four-week average output, at 1.012 million bpd, was 124,000 bpd above the same four weeks in 2022.

Based on the average of prices collected by DTN, the value of DDG relative to corn for the week ended Jan 18 was 1.23%. The value of DDG relative to soybean meal was 53.97 and the cost per unit of protein for DDG was $7.22 compared to the cost per unit of protein for soybean meal at $7.61.

In their weekly DDGS report, the U.S. Grains Council noted that "Navigation conditions on the lower Mississippi River through Memphis, Tennessee improved significantly this past week, jumping nearly 17 feet to a gage reading of 15.1 feet as of January 18, 2024. This is the highest reading since May 2023, and the first week above a zero-gage reading since mid-August 2023. These conditions ensure adequate and improving opportunities to move grain and grain products by barge to export elevators located on the lower Mississippi River."

Note: All prices subject to change/confirmation.

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

Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @MaryCKenn

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