US DDGS exporters eye Asia amid strong demand

US distillers grains with solubles exporters remain focused on sustained demand from Asian countries, as steady container flows and competition support the US market.

Demand for US DDGS in Asia has remained strong, and market participants said it is unlikely to abate in the near term, as buyers in the region have cited competitive prices and a lack of competition from other origins such as Brazil and India.

"We buy most of our US DDGS through containers; the volume is one reason for the choice, while the second reason is the feed millers' preference for golden yellow color [of US DDGS]," a Vietnam-based importer said.

South Korean demand for US-origin DDGS has been consistently strong, with prices declining in 2025, mirroring corn and soybean meal, a South Korea-based researcher said.

Meanwhile, Brazilian DDGS was not as popular in South Korea as US DDGS due to its darker color and lower quality, a South Korea-based trade agent said, adding that feed factories were less inclined to include Brazilian product in feed formulations.

US DDGS exports remain supported

Asia remains a key focus for US DDGS exports, with US-based market participants pointing to steady container demand and growing attention on shifting trade flows in the region.

Interest in US DDGS has remained active, supported by historically low container freight rates and consistent demand for high-protein ingredients, according to brokers and traders.

"Container demand has been great," one broker said, adding that high-protein DDGS continues to be preferred for containerized shipments into Asian destinations.

Traders said buying behavior across Asia has been mixed, with some end users stepping in to cover near-term needs, while others remain more hand-to-mouth amid wide bid-offer spreads and uncertain price direction.

One trader said low container freight rates to Southeast Asia have encouraged engagement, even as some buyers have delayed purchases due to inverse market structures and expectations of softer values later in the year.

"Logistics are the main problem due to the cold weather and low Mississippi River levels that make barging limited," a Vietnam-based grains broker said.

The second broker said they had received offers at $258-$260/metric ton CFR, compared to offers in December 2025 that ranged at $250-$252/mt CFR.

Buyers in Vietnam showed strong demand for DDGS for March-April 2026 shipments, although prices were higher than expected, the broker said.

Meanwhile, the market was sharpening its attention on Asia amid reports of Brazilian DDGS flows to China, market players said.

"All Brazilian DDGS will go to China," a third broker said, adding that the shift could open more Asian destinations for US-origin material.

A fourth broker said global DDGS availability continued to grow alongside expanding ethanol production.

A second trader said Brazilian exports to China were supportive for the US market, as DDGS from the US typically does not flow to China due to antidumping duties, which would "free up more demand for US [product] into Turkey and Europe."

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed CIF New Orleans DDGS barges for the February period at $216/short ton on Feb. 24, and assessed the Chicago DDGS truck market for March delivery at $183/st.

South Korea, Vietnam among top 2025 export markets

Of the top five export destinations for US DDGS in 2025, South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia held the second, third and fourth positions, respectively, according to US Department of Agriculture data released Feb. 19.

The US exported around 1.5 million mt of DDGS to South Korea in 2025, marking the third consecutive year that South Korea was the second-largest import market.

Exports to Vietnam reached around 1.159 million mt, and flows to Indonesia totaled 994,087 mt. Vietnam and Indonesia both maintained their respective spots as the third- and fourth-largest import markets in 2025.