Building a World Market from Scratch

by Alvaro Cordero (Ethanol Producer Magazine/U.S. Grains Council) From a barely recognized feed alternative 10 years ago, distillers dried grains with solubles continues to gain recognition and markets. DDGS is now widely recognized internationally, where its use continues to evolve.

Forty-four countries imported DDGS in the first nine months of 2010, and in 33 of those markets last year, purchases increased over 2010 levels. Excluding China, world sales volume also increased. In the European Union, growth was spectacular: Portugal and the Netherlands went from zero purchases in the first nine months of 2010 to 23,595 metric tons and 32,222 tons, respectively. France, which imported just 7,346 tons in all of 2010, bought 59,896 tons. British imports grew almost 60 percent, from 67,283 tons to 106,957 tons, and Spanish purchases exploded from 16,495 tons to 111,538 tons. Buying increased in a host of other countries. In Asia, Japan’s imports grew by 41 percent and Taiwans’ and the Philippines’ by 51 percent. Honduras bought 65 percent more DDGS, and sales to Morocco and Malaysia were 78 percent higher.

“DDGS is now a commodity in demand around the world,” says Wendell Shauman, chairman of the U.S. Grains Council... READ MORE and MORE (Ethanol Producer Magazine) and MORE (Ethanol Producer Magazine) and MORE (Ethanol Producer Magazine)