DTN Weekly DDG Price Lower on Average

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) — The DTN price for domestic distillers dried grains (DDG) from 33 locations reporting for the week ended March 7 was down $4 on average at $191 per ton versus one week ago. DDG prices were mixed but lower on average, in spite of strength in the cash corn price this past week and lower plant production. The DTN National Corn Index was 10 cents higher Thursday versus one week ago.

The Energy Information Administration on Wednesday reported overall ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.057 million barrels per day (bpd) as of March 1, down 21,000 bpd week-on-week and 47,000 bpd, or 4.4%, higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.075 million bpd was 61,000 bpd above the same four weeks in 2022. Midwest ethanol production averaged 1.008 million bpd, down 21,000 bpd week-on-week and 44,000 bpd, or 4.4%, higher than in the same week last year.

Based on the average of prices collected by DTN, the value of DDG relative to corn for the week ended March 7 was 1.26%. The value of DDG relative to soybean meal was 56.19 and the cost per unit of protein for DDG was $7.07 compared to the cost per unit of protein for soybean meal at $7.16. (Still off March futures.)

According to U.S. Grains Council weekly DDGS export prices, barge CIF NOLA was down $7 versus last week, FOB Vessel Gulf was down $6, rail delivered PNW was down $15 and 40-foot containers to Vietnam were down $18 versus one week ago.

USDA used Census Bureau data released this week and reported U.S. exports of DDGS totaled 902,376 metric tons (mt) in January, down from 992,827 mt in December, but up 17% from a year ago. Mexico was the top destination in January, taking 28% of U.S. exports and was followed by South Korea and Indonesia. For all of 2023, DDGS exports were down 1% from a year ago.

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