US ethanol and distillers grains exports shrink while biodiesel soars

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that US exports of ethanol and distillers grains (DG) have shrunk from last year, but biodiesel exports are soaring.

US ethanol exports totalled 55.7 million gallons in May, which represents a 14% decrease year-on-year, yet in the first five months of 2016 US ethanol exports were up 6% from year ago.

Canada was the US’ top business partner, accounting for 38% of May sales, with China a close second.

Exports of DG totalled 1.06 million tonnes in May, down 9% from a year ago, with China was the top customer in May taking 27% of total exports.

DG exports to China for all of 2016 are down 59% from a year ago, possibly stemming from China’s anti-dumping probe against US DG imports launched in January

US biodiesel exports, on the other hand, totalled 47,040 tonnes in May which marks a 31% increase from last year, USDA says.

The biodiesel exports were boosted by Canada, which was the dominant buyer again in May, taking 74% of all exports.