US exports of dried distillers grains in July rose 88,286 mt, or 8.7%, compared with June, to its highest level since September 2015, data from the US Census Bureau showed Friday.
Total US dried distillers grains exports rose to $227 million in July, up $37.967 million or 19.98% compared with June.
US exports of DDGS tallied 1.093 million mt in July. July marked only the third month since October 2015 that DDGS exports broke the 1 million mt mark.
July, however, saw a year-on-year decrease in the value of the exports compared with July 2015. The value of the most recent month's DDGS exports declined 33.8% compared with July 2015, which came in at $344.61 million. July 2015's exports totaled 1.2357 million mt.
The per metric ton price of DDGS exports rose to $208.40/mt in July from $189/mt in June, the data show.
China remained the top importer of US DDGS for the third straight month, and for the fifth time in seven months.
China bought 358,985 mt of US DDGS in July worth $81 million, the data show. However, China's July purchases were 71% lower than the same month last year in terms of volume, and 67% lower in terms of value.
China, the largest market for US DDGS exports for the last four years, has seen interest in the ethanol byproduct drop sharply after the country's commerce ministry launched an antidumping investigation of US DDGS. Sources in Asia have said a decision on whether to add tariffs to US imports is expected in September.
Mexico was the second largest importer of US DDGS in July, buying 147,779 mt of DDGS worth $30.91 million. Vietnam came in at number three, with 116,180 mt worth $24.53 million.
South Korea and Thailand rounded out the top five importers.
