In 2009, the U.S. ethanol industry exported 5.64 million metric tons of distillers grains worth nearly $1 billion, shattering the previous record set in 2008. According to the Foreign Agriculture Service, exports in 2009 were 24% above 2008 levels and more than five times higher than the amount of distillers grains exported just five years ago. Distillers grains are the livestock feed co-product of ethanol production from grain.
Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper points out that DDGs help in dispelling the food vs. fuel myth and the questionable notion that increased U.S. ethanol production is causing international land use change. Assuming world average yield rates, 2009 DDGs exports eliminated the need for nearly 5 million acres of corn and soybeans internationally.
For the fourth straight year, Mexico registered as the top market for U.S. distillers grains, importing nearly 1.5 million metric tons, or 27% of total U.S. exports. Canada again ranked as the second largest export market for U.S. distillers grains, receiving nearly 804,000 metric tons of U.S. product.
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