Distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) prices were steady to higher this week as soymeal continued to rally, likely encouraging the inclusion of more DDGS into domestic feed rations, the U.S. Grains Council  (USGC) reported.

“Problems with river congestion are impacting nearby prices and complicating the outlook for prices into the April-May timeframe,” USGC added.

Year-end data for 2017 revealed U.S. exports of approximately 11 million metric tons to over 50 countries. According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), an estimated 29% of U.S. DDGS was exported last year. Total aggregate value was $1.86 billion in 2017, down 14% from 2016 and the lowest in seven years.

USGC said exports in January 2018 were up substantially compared to January 2017, continuing a trend of increasing exports that began in December 2017.

“Lately, merchandisers report a flurry of interest from especially Asian buyers starting late last week and continuing this week. As such, prices for Asian destinations have firmed up – on average DDGS destined for Southeast Asia increased $6/MT this week from last,” USGC said, adding that containers to Thailand led the way, up $8.