DDGS
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Southeast Asian countries imported a record 2.3 million tonnes of U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in the 2016-17 marketing year, according to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC).

 

Manuel Sanchez, USGC regional director for Southeast Asia, noted that the record occurred despite Vietnam’s decision to temporarily suspend imports following the detection of quarantine pests. Vietnam purchased 50% less U.S. DDGS in 2016-17 (495,000 tonnes) than in the prior year.

Manuel Snachez
Manuel Sanchez

“Offsetting the decline in sales to Vietnam, the market for U.S. DDGS in Southeast Asia diversified significantly,” he said. “We lost the largest DDGS market in the region for eight months and still reached a record import volume overall.”

Through the first three months of the 2017-18 marketing year, Vietnam has purchased more than 213,000 tonnes of U.S. DDGS, he said.

He said there was notable growth in Thailand and Indonesia. Thailand was the fourth largest buyer of U.S. DDGS in 2016-17, purchasing 791,000 tonnes compared to just under 600,000 tonnes the prior year. Indonesia imported 512,000 tonnes in 2016-17 and has already brought in 251,000 tonnes in 2017-18.

“New buyers like New Zealand, Cambodia and Myanmar also made a big splash this past marketing year,” he said.

DDGS is a co-product of dry-milled ethanol and is utilized as a feed ingredient for poultry, swine and aquaculture.