Ethanol Blog

Export of U.S.-produced distillers grains in 2015 set a new record, reaching 12.56 million metric tons, according to trade statistics released recently by the Renewable Fuels Association (http://bit.ly/…).

The record 12.56 mmt was shipped to 45 countries on five continents; this is 11% higher than 2014 exports and more than double the total exports in 2009.

According to RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen, an estimated 34% of all distillers grains produced in the U.S. were exports. Those exports were valued at nearly $3 billion in 2015, representing a vital revenue source for ethanol producers.

China, Mexico, Vietnam, South Korea and Canada were the top markets for U.S. distillers grains, according to RFA. Nearly 50% of all distillers grains exports were sold to China, about 13% to Mexico, about 5% to both Vietnam and South Korea, and 4% to Canada.

Dinneen commented, "Between ethanol and distillers grains, our industry exported the equivalent of 800 million bushels of corn last year."

He added, "If that amount of corn had been exported in raw form, it would have been worth $3.6 billion. But in the form of ethanol and distillers grains it was worth $4.8 billion. This is value-added agriculture at its best."

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

(ES)

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